Singer Natalie Rushdie has opened up about what it is really like to be invited to sit inWimbledon's Royal Box - along with meeting the Princess of Wales.
The Scottish jazz singer. 37, who is married to Salman Rushdie's son, was one of the few lucky guests who managed to bag herself one of the most sought-after seats on the court in 2023.
Many A-listers and members of the Royal Family have made appearances in the exclusive area over the years, including the late Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle,Pippa Middleton and Queen Camilla.
Natalie is a friend of the late cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James, also known asBowel Babe, who died at the age of 40 in June 2022.
She was asked to perform a cover of Deborah's single, Tell Me It’s Not True, at her funeral and released the song as a charity single for the campaigner's charity.
Natalie Rushdie said Kate was 'so beautiful' in real life, adding that she 'said hello to everyone'. Above: The pair engaging in conversation in the Royal Box
Natalie said that Royal Box guests are allowed to take photographs before other people arrive
The singer won support fromPrince Williamwho backed the release and wished Natalie 'all the very best for her single release' at the time.
A day in the Royal Box at Wimbledon
- Welcome drinks and coffee are served on the balcony before the games start and guests are presented with special chocolates
- They are allowed to take photographs in the Royal Box before other people arrive
- Lunch is served, which includes luxury cuts of meat and seafood such as lobster tail
- Afternoon tea is served on the balcony
- They then go back to the Royal Box to watch more tennis
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She spoke to Helloabout the experience and treatment that those in the Royal Box receive on the day, along with brushing shoulders with Kate Middleton, Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, and Prince Michael of Kent - a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Natalie said guests are invited to a sit-down lunch before the tennis matches start and that Kate andRoger were the last people to enter, adding that the room 'went silent' when they arrived.
'She's just so beautiful in real life… Calm, just so refined. She came in, she said hello to everyone,' she told the outlet.
Natalie claimed the lavish lunch is an impressive spread ofhot and cold dishes consisting of luxury meat and seafood such as Halibut, Galloway beef, and Cornish lobster tail.
Guests are then served a quintessentially British dessert of strawberries and cream, along with the option of Peach crémeux and a selection of cheeses.
Later on, Natalie had the chance to express her gratitude to Kate during which time she thanked both her and William for supporting the charity song.
Speaking of the moment, she added: 'We spoke about the single, and she asked how it was going and how it came about.
'There's a sparkle when she enters the room. Everyone genuinely is in awe of her.
'She's so kind, takes the time to speak to everyone, and very much makes everyone feel at ease.'
Traditionally Kate presents the trophies each year, as well as attending several matches during the tournament.
Natalie said guests are invited to a sit-down lunch before the tennis matches start and that Kate and Roger (pictured) were the last people to enter, adding that the room 'went silent' when they arrived
Natalie shared snaps of her Wimbledon experience on Instagram, including the luxurious dining experience
Natalie (pictured with Dame Deborah atRoyal Ascot in 2022) was close friends with the cancer campaigner
But she is not currently undertaking official duties due to her ongoing preventative chemotherapy treatment, after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year.
It is currently unknown whether Kate will attend Wimbledon this year, butAll England Club Chair Debbie Jevans said they would give Kate 'as much flexibility as possible'.
Natalie then went to have afternoon tea and was invited to sit with Prince Michael of Kent,Lady Gabriella and her late husband, Thomas Kingston as they are 'friends'.
At the time it wasPrince Michael's birthday and so coffee cakes were put out especially for the group to celebrate.
They engaged in conversationabout the different music events thatPrince Michael attended during his younger years.
Natalie also divulged information about how the day is structured and the perks of being invited into the Royal Box.
She said that they had to drive through a separate entrance, go underneath the car park and then drive into Wimbledon.
She claimed that you then drive to a lift and it then comes up inside the Royal Box.' 'It's absolutely beautiful,' she added.
Upon arrival, guests are then treated to 'special Wimbledon chocolates' with their coffee, along with a photograph.
Natalie said the staff told her she was going to get snapped in the first three sets and that you are allowed to take the photograph away with you.
According to the official Wimbledon website: 'The Royal Box has been used for the entertainment of friends and guests of Wimbledon since 1922.
'British and overseas Royal Families are invited as well as heads of government, people from the world of tennis, commercial partners, British armed forces, prominent media organisations, supporters of British tennis and other walks of life.'
