Kate Middleton, wearing a pleated skirt and belted white jacket, met Lydia Lowe, an eight-year-old who tossed the coin for the women’s wheelchair final.
When the two met, the brave young girl offered Kate tips on how to overcome her nervousness before becoming the center of attention.
Lydia’s Journey of Recovery
In 2024, the Doncaster, Yorkshire, girl was injured in her brain and had to learn again how to eat, walk, and talk.
She was playing for the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, a charity that assists people with disabilities to play tennis by providing them with financial help and equipment.
An Exchange of Encouragement
After shaking hands with the little one, Kate was heard saying, “Have you got any advice for me because I’ve got to go out and do the prize-giving?”, The Mirror reported.
A smart response came from the schoolgirl who plays visually impaired tennis: “Don’t be nervous, take deep breaths.”
“Take deep breaths,” the future Queen said after paying heed to Lydia’s advice. “I’ll remember that. Thank you,” she added.
On the recommendation of her physicians, Lydia returned to the court following her brain injury, Lydia’s mother, Leanne, told the Doncaster Free Press.
The inspirational young girl’s ‘The Six LOVE challenge for Lydia Lowe’ raised an incredible £20,000 last year.
Meeting More Young Champions
In the meantime, Kate also interviewed Wimbledon’s longest-serving steward, Bob Flint, who has worked for the Championships every year for the last 45 years, and Sophie Kneen, 12, who performed the coin toss before the women’s singles final.
“It was so, so good, and I’m really honored to be able to meet her,” Sophie told the PA news agency after meeting Kate.
“She asked me a bit about the charity I’m with and I said how they try and encourage young girls to play sports.”
Kate also complimented Wang Ziying, the women’s wheelchair singles winner, and asked her if the final match was a “good game.”
