ROYALS

Did Meghan Markle Really Break Wimbledon’s Dress Code?

The Duchess of Sussex may not have actually eschewed etiquette at Wimbledon this year.


Celebrities Attend Wimbledon 2019
Karwai Tang

As fun as it is to watch tennis legends compete at Wimbledon, it’s just as exciting to see celebrities and royals watching the tennis tournament.

But apparently some spectators have gotten a little too excited. One fan in particular attempted to take an unauthorized selfie with Meghan Markle on Tuesday, and was quickly reprimanded by her security detail. Some members of the press chided the Duchess of Sussex for instituting a supposed photo ban and dubbed her “princess privacy,” but based on the photos of the incident, Markle appeared to graciously and quietly sit back without causing a scene.

Many might be wondering why Markle was seated in a position where fans could approach and take photos without asking permission first. Well, according to reports from The Times, the Duchess was not seated with the rest of the royals because she was wearing denim. Unnamed sources from the All England Club, which is the venue where the Wimbledon Championships are held, reportedly told The Times, “She’s not allowed to wear jeans” because that look interferes with the dress code of the Royal Box, which is the designated area for royals and royal adjacents. There was also mention of the Duchess making a faux pas because she watched two Americans (Serena Williams and Andy Murray) rather than staying for a British player when she is a member of the British royal family. However, the official spokespeople for the All England Club deny any rumblings that employees of the venue were upset with Markle, saying, “Any suggestion that the duchess’s visit was anything other than a privilege for the club is categorically not the view of the club, and she is always welcome to attend the championships.”

Previously unissued picture dated 4/7/2019 of a man believed to be a Royal bodyguard speaking to a spectator who had taken a selfie as the Duchess of Sussex watches the Serena Williams match on court one during day four of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

Mike Egerton – PA Images

Sure, Markle is known for “breaking traditions,” but did she really break Wimbledon’s dress code? Not quite: At the All England Club, Wimbledon spectators are not expected to adhere to a strict dress code, however attendees who are invited into the Royal Box are required to wear a dress or jacket and tie. For perspective, Markle attended Wimbledon last year and sat in the Royal Box while wearing a striped button-down shirt and cream-colored slacks. Not exactly a formal look, but it does fall under the All England’s Club request for spectators to dress “smart casual.”

Since Markle was wearing a white blazer and blue jeans this year, she was not permitted to enter the Royal Box, but it is possible that she had no intention of sitting in the Royal Box in the first place, especially when she showed up to support her friend Serena Williams. So she sat in a section where non-royals can watch the match with friends. Also, it’s not out of the ordinary for royals to request no photographs from members of the public when attending either private or public events, and Markle is not the only royal to forgo a spot in the Royal Box during Wimbledon this year: Kate Middleton spent some time outside of her typical front row Royal Box spot when she arrived at Wimbledon last Tuesday. Can you blame them for wanting to spend a little bit of time acting normal?

Wimbledon 2019: See All the Funny Faces Celebrity Spectators Made In the Stands

Jude Law at day 11 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2019 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Tessa Thompson at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

David Beckham at day 10 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 11th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Will Poulter at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Adwoa Aboah at day 9 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 9th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Charli XCX at day 6 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 6, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Charli XCX at day 6 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 6, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Diana Silvers at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at day 2 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 2nd, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Getty Images

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at day 2 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 2nd, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at day 2 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 2nd, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at day 4 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 04, 2019 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Janelle Monae at day 1 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2019 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Claire Foy at day 10 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 11th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Sienna Miller and Derek Blasberg at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge at day 5 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 5, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge at day 5 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 5, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge at day 5 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 5, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Carole Middleton at day 9 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2019 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Emily Mortimer, Alessandro Nivola and Alex Rodriguez at day 1 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 1st, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Poppy Delevingne, Reuben Selby, and Maisie Williams at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Maisie Williams at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Anna Wintour at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Eleanor Tomlinson at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Pippa Middleton at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Ruth Wilson at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Ruth Wilson at day 7 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 8th, 2019. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Carly Steel and Rebel Wilson at day 1 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2019 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Carly Steel and Rebel Wilson at day 1 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2019 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Ellie Goulding and Caspar Jopling at day 8 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 09, 2019 in London, England. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

1/30

Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are on Their Third Nanny for Baby Archie