Princess Kate Shares Prince Louis’ Adorable Wimbledon Ambition as Young Royal Dreams of Becoming a Ball Boy

Prince Louis wants job at Wimbledon Princess Kate reveals – but it only pays £200

The Princess, wearing a bright strawberry-red belted top and pleated midi skirt, chatted to members of Wimbledon staff during a behind-the-scenes visit.

The Princess of Wales waves from the royal box on day 13 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships (Image: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Prince Louis has set his sights on one of the most sought-after jobs at Wimbledon after the Princess of Wales revealed the young royal wants to become one of the tournament’s famous ball boys. Kate shared the charming family insight as she arrived at the All England Club on Saturday to watch the women’s singles final before presenting the winner’s trophy on Centre Court.

The Princess, wearing a bright strawberry-red belted top and pleated midi skirt, chatted to members of Wimbledon staff during a behind-the-scenes visit. Speaking to 18-year-old court services team member Jenna Fontanilla, Kate revealed that eight-year-old Prince Louis had been quizzing her about how he could become a ball boy.

Prince Louis pictured on the Royal Balcony (Image: Getty)

Ms Fontanilla later said: “She told me about how Louis was asking her about how to become a ball boy, and we were talking about how much hard work it is to be on court and how we work alongside the ball kids, and it’s just so lovely.”

If Louis does eventually fulfil his ambition, however, he should not expect a royal payday.

Despite months of demanding training and two weeks working at one of the world’s biggest sporting events, Wimbledon ball boys and girls are not paid a salary. Instead, they receive a stipend of around £200 to help cover expenses during the Championships.

The coveted role attracts huge interest every year, with around 1,400 youngsters applying to become one of Wimbledon’s famous ball boys and girls.

Prince Louis and mother Princess Kate (Image: Getty)

Only around 280 are selected, with most aged between 14 and 17. Around 180 come from participating local schools, while about 100 experienced ball boys and girls are invited back from previous Championships.

Successful applicants begin training as early as February, attending multiple sessions each week at the All England Club’s training centre in Raynes Park.

They are put through speed drills, court exercises and written tests before moving onto the Wimbledon grass courts in May to perfect everything from throwing balls accurately to remaining motionless between points.

Former Wimbledon ball boy Alex Crockford previously described the preparation as “intense and very physical”, saying recruits spend months mastering the skills needed to perform flawlessly in front of millions of television viewers.

While the financial reward is modest, ball boys and girls receive free meals and refreshments during the tournament and get to keep their official Ralph Lauren Wimbledon uniform.

The best performers can also earn the chance to work on Centre Court or Court One, giving them a ringside view of some of the biggest matches in world tennis.

Ms Fontanilla, from Sutton, south London, described meeting the Princess as a memorable experience and praised Kate for putting her instantly at ease.

She said: “She’s so genuine. It felt so easy. I thought I was going to be really nervous, but she made it so easy. The conversation was very natural.

“Looking at her through the doors, it was just: ‘Oh my gosh, she’s here’, and then I overheard her with the other conversations, it just felt so natural, and it put peace over me.

“And then when she was right there, reaching out to shaking my hand, I was like: ‘Oh my gosh, which hand, which hand?’, and then I got there, and she was just, oh, that smile.

“It just brings you back, and she’s so genuine.

“The conversation was just so lovely. She’s a people’s princess, everyone says she’s one of the people, and I love it.”

SOURCE: https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/2228086/prince-louis-wants-job-wimbledon-princess-kate-ball-boy-tennis