Awkward moment ball girl tells Kate Middleton she has broken Wimbledon protocol during session with Roger Federer
KATE MIDDLETON was left in a comically awkward situation after being told she has broken Wimbledon protocol by a ball girl.
The Princess of Wales was shooting a film to highlight the tournament’s ballboys and girls.
In the film, she starred alongside tennis legend Rodger Federer.
But there was one awkward moment during the shoot, as Kate caught a ball as it headed out-of-bounds.
The ball girl, Mollie, next to Kate congratulated her on the “good catch”, but Federer was on hand to question the validity of the effort.
He said: “Are you allowed to do that? In Australia, you they would catch it, but in Wimbledon they don’t.”
And Kate then questioned the ball girl: “Ah yeah, are you allowed to do that?”
To which the ballgirl explained: “You are not meant to catch it.
“You are meant to let it bounce and then get it, but good catch.”
It was the ballgirls and boys’ first day of training at the venue ahead of the tournament’s start on July 3.
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Kate also played doubles against the eight-time Wimbledon champion on No3 court.
Dressed in her tennis whites, Kate played a rally in the sunshine with Federer, also 41, before asking him for tips on her serve.
Kate, who is patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, said in the film: “Wimbledon is renowned for its amazingly professional ballboys and ballgirls.
“The amount of work it takes, it’s incredible to see behind the scenes.
“With all the discipline and everything you’ve learnt, you’ll be able to take it into so many other parts of your life.
“Things like confidence and that feeling of pride with being on any of the courts is such a big moment.”