In a touching break from tradition at the 2023 Wimbledon finals, the Princess of Wales surprised spectators by embracing runner-up Ons Jabeur as she struggled to hold back tears. Royals customarily stick to bows and curtseys rather than physical gestures, but when Kate saw the Tunisian star’s visible distress after her second straight Wimbledon defeat—and another Grand Slam loss at the US Open earlier that year—she quietly asked for permission before offering a consoling hug.
Jabeur later revealed how much that small act of kindness meant to her, recalling Kate’s gentle encouragement: “You’ll be back to win a Grand Slam, even Wimbledon.” She described the Princess as “the nicest person” and smiled at the thought of receiving comfort from royalty.
The moment instantly went viral, with fans praising Kate’s empathy and predicting she would make an exceptional queen. As patron of the All England Club, the Princess attends Wimbledon every year, but her spontaneous embrace of Jabeur remains one of the tournament’s most memorable highlights—proof that compassion can transcend the strictest protocols.