Princess of Wales surprises Wimbledon tennis fans as she meets them in the queue and poses for selfies

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Princess of Wales surprises Wimbledon tennis fans as she meets them in the queue and poses for selfiesRoyal chatted to spectators and even helped staff sell tickets at the All England Club in SW19

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The Princess of Wales delighted Wimbledon fans on Thursday as she joined the famous queue.

The Royal posed for selfies, chatting to spectators and even helped staff sell tickets ahead of another packed day of action at The Championships in SW19.

Kate, who looked elegant in a tailored blue suit, was all smiles as she met tennis fans who had camped overnight for a chance to secure seats on the famous grass courts.

The princess, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, also spent time with stewards who welcome thousands of spectators through the gates each year.

Kate told two tennis fans to “have a great time” as she handed them a ticket on Thursday morning.

In the queue, she could be seen smiling and laughing as she greeted visitors and took pictures with them.

Kate poses for a selfie with a fan PAThe Princess of Wales delighted Wimbledon fans on Thursday as she stepped away from the Royal Box to greet the famous queueGetty

Speaking to two excited children, she asked them if they were big tennis fans, to which they smiled and nodded.

One attendee congratulated the princess on her recent Three Peaks challenge.

Kate lent a hand at the ticket officeGetty

After entering the grounds, Kate was welcomed by a round of applause and cheers as she walked past Henman Hill. The princess waved at spectators.

After lending a hand in the ticket office, Kate watched a match on an outside court - Court 18 - alongside former British No.1 Tim Henman and AELTC chair Deborah Jevans.

She watched Briton Arthur Fery play his second-round match against Finnish Otto Virtanen.

The royal watching the second round match between Arthur Fery and Otto Virtanen with Deborah Jevans and Tim HenmanGetty

It came before a star-studded Royal Box was due to settle in for Centre Court action.

Among Thursday's headline matches at the championships, defending champion Iga Świątek takes on 2021 runner-up Karolína Plíšková, before former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini faces French rising star Arthur Fils.

The royal also met youngsters from Shine Camera Club, a photography programme supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Merton.

The group, which took part in Wimbledon's learning programme last year, spent the day documenting The Championships before showing their images to the Princess.

Speaking to one child, the princess praised a photo they had taken of a tree, calling it “abstract” and telling them: “I love that.”

While speaking to the group about the importance of photography and arts, she said: “Creativity is such a good way of exploring your emotions”

The royal appeared in good spirits for the dayGetty