Kate could give trophy to Russian at Wimbledon

THE Princess of Wales is willing to present Russian tennis champions with Wimbledon trophies this summer amid Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Continuing her tradition of presenting the singles trophies as the All England Club’s patron, sources say she will hand over silverware to any winner, regardless of their nationality.

It comes as organisers are expected to lift a ban on players from Russia and Belarus entering the tournament. Under the new rules, players from both countries will be allowed to play as neutral competitors with no mention of where they are from.

According to Palace sources, the princess sees this as a matter for Wimbledon and she will give the trophy to whoever they allow to receive it.

This has sparked fears from some club officials that, as one of the highest-profile members of the Royal Family, images of the princess congratulating a winner from Russia or Belarus could be used for propaganda.

It is understood Kate will this year attend the women’s singles final on July 15 and the men’s singles final the following day.

World no 2 Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus is currently the bookmaker’s third- favourite, after she became tennis’s first neutral grand- slam singles champion at January’s Australian Open. Speaking after this win, Sabalenka said: ‘I think everyone still knows I’m a Belarusian player, and that’s it.’