As Wimbledon heads into its second week, royal watchers and tennis fans alike are revisiting some of the most memorable moments the tournament has offered—not all of them happening on court.

Among the standout memories is a charming exchange between tennis legend Roger Federer and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, which took place during the 2023 championship. The moment—caught on camera and widely shared—sparked conversation not for its glamour, but for a subtle break from royal etiquette.

Federer, a guest in Wimbledon’s prestigious Royal Box, was seated beside the Princess as they watched Elena Rybakina take on American player Shelby Rogers. At one point, Federer appeared to lean in to kiss Kate on the cheek while placing a hand gently on her back—an affectionate gesture more typical between friends than royals and guests.

According to long-standing royal protocol, members of the royal family should not be touched unless they initiate physical contact, typically in the form of a handshake. But in this case, the interaction seemed entirely natural, even welcome.

Federer and the Waleses have known each other for years. The Swiss athlete once gave Prince George a private tennis lesson and has often spoken about Kate’s love for the sport. “It was so fun sitting next to Princess Catherine,” Federer shared in an interview at the time. “She’s an avid tennis fan and she plays herself. Sometimes we have to be careful not to chat too much between points.”

Kate herself once set aside protocol when greeting Federer. Back in 2017, following his record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title win, the Princess greeted him with not one but three kisses on the cheek—a nod to Switzerland’s traditional greeting customs.

That moment, too, was widely viewed as a gesture of warmth rather than a formal misstep.

Their friendly rapport was once again on display this year, when Federer returned to the Royal Box at Wimbledon alongside his wife, Mirka. Just two rows behind them sat Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, further underscoring the deeply personal connection between the families.

While much of Wimbledon remains governed by strict dress codes and formal traditions—especially within the Royal Box—it’s these quiet, unscripted moments of familiarity that often leave the most lasting impression.

And in this case, a rule gently bent between longtime friends only added to the charm of Centre Court.