Sophie, Countess of Wessex enjoyed a day at Wimbledon with her Lady in Waiting, Annabelle Galletley on Thursday. The two women were spotted laughing together as they sat in the Royal Box.Mother-of-two Sophie also spoke to singer Elaine Paige who was sitting behind her at Wimbledon’s Centre Court. They were also joined by Philip Brook, chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, as they watched the semi-final match between Marion Bartoli of France and Kristen Flipkens of Belgium.
Sophie looked elegant in a beige dress, which was nipped in at the waist with a brown leather belt. Not a hair was out of place in place in a neat ponytail that was secured with a brown clip, and she completed her look with some stylish shades.
Like her fellow royals, Sophie is a keen tennis fan. She met her husband, Prince Edward, at a tennis event in 1993. Sue Barker was due to play the Prince in a match, but when she could not make it, Sophie stepped on court instead.
Edward was so charmed by Sophie that he then invited her to join him for a game of real tennis. She accepted his offer and the couple began a six-year courtship. They married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor in June 1999.
Many celebrities visited SW19 yesterday to watch the semi-finals, including Sir Cliff Richard, Paula Radcliffe, Minnie Driver, comedians Jack Dee and Matthew Horne as well as 90210 star Jessica Lowndes with her rugby player boyfriend Thom Evans.
Marion Bartoli beat her Belgium competitor and will play German Sabine Lisicki in her second Wimbledon final.
