Kate Middleton commends Andy Murray for 'incredible' Wimbledon career, says he 'should be very proud'

LONDON, UK: Kate Middleton may have skipped this year’s Wimbledon event due to her health condition, but she didn’t miss to congratulate Andy Murray on an incredible career.

The Queen of Wales shared a personal message to the two-time Wimbledon champion over her Instagram Story on Saturday, July 6. 

"An incredible Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andymurray. On behalf of all of us, thank you!" read her Instagram Stories message, and signed off with "C" for Catherine.

Kate Middleton and Wimbledon grand slam connection

Kate Middleton is a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. 

Murray played one of his final Wimbledon matches on Friday, July 5, and got emotional after receiving a tribute to his career.

"It is hard because I would love to keep playing but I can't. Physically, it's just too tough now. All of the injuries have added up and like I said they haven't been insignificant," he shared. 

Middleton, 42, and Murray have been friends for over years now.

In 2023, the tennis star gave a silent shout-out to the Princess of Wales following his match against Ryan Peniston. Murray gestured to her and Roger Federer in the crowd during his comments on the court.

The only time Kate Middleton missed the Wimbledon Championship

Kate Middleton has been in attendance every year since her marriage to Prince William in 2011.

The only exception until now was in the 2013 matches after she was advised to rest before giving birth to Prince George, per People.

Interestingly, that was the year when Murray lifted the trophy and became the first British man to win the Grand Slam in almost 80 years. He also went on to defend the title the following year. 

"I was sort of, ‘Maybe I could go,' but the doctors were like, 'No.' I wrote to [Murray] afterward saying sorry for not being there but huge congratulations,” she said in the 2017 BBC documentary Our Wimbledon.

Middleton also shared her love for the prestigious tournament. “It’s such a quintessential part of the English summer, and I think it really inspires youngsters, myself, it inspired me, when I was younger to get involved in the game," she said in the documentary, reported Express.