It was a starry affair in the Royal Box at Wimbledon today as actors James Norton and Eddie Redmayne and director Sir Sam Mendes joined broadcasters and writers to take in the action on Centre Court.
Today sees all four men’s quarter-final matches taking place with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic both due on the tournament’s biggest show court this afternoon.
Taking their seats at lunchtime were a fine smattering of regal names from the world of celebrity with Sir Trevor McDonald, Andrew Marr and Professor Brian Cox suited and booted alongside royalty and A-list stars.
Typically dapper, Redmayne, 39, looked ready for summer in a lightweight suit, shirt and tie as he chatted to Norton, 35, and Sir Trevor, who was seated on his other side.
Although Zara and Mike Tindall were spotted arriving at SW19 today, they did not take a seat in the Royal Box. The only member of the Royal Family present was the Queen’s cousin the Duke of Kent, who was joined by his daughter and grandson.
The Queen’s granddaughter, 40, who wore her blonde hair in a neat straight bob, looked effortlessly chic in a navy and white striped dress which she paired with wrap around wedges.
Zara, who was accompanied by her former England rugby player husband, 42, accessorised with oversized sunglasses, a watch which she wore on her left wrist and an over the body blue bag.
The outing comes just four months after the mother-of-three gave birth to their son Lucas, weighing 8lbs 4oz, at 6pm on a Sunday in March on the bathroom floor of their family home on Princess Anne’s Gloucestershire estate.
Elsewhere it was a who’s who of British television and literary royalty, with Melvyn Bragg and Sebastian Faulks also making an appearance.
Here, FEMAIL reveals the who’s who of the Royal Box…
Take your seats: Wednesday is men’s quarter-final day on Centre Court, with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic both due to play this afternoon for places in the tournament’s semi-final – and the Royal Box is awash with famous faces (pictured 1. Jackie Ashley, 2. Andrew Marr, 3. Sebastian Faulks, 4. Lady Helen Taylor, 5. The Duke of Kent, 6. Lady Alison Mendes, 7. Sir Sam Mendes, 8. James Norton, 9. Gia Cox, 10. Professor Brian Cox, 11. Hannah Redmayne, 12. Eddie Redmayne, 13. Lord Patten, 14. Melvyn Bragg, 15. Gabriel Clare-Hunt 16. Sir Trevor McDonald)
Hello mate! Two of Britain’s finest actors, James Norton, left and Eddie Redmayne, right, shake hands – both actors opted to wear traditional whites to take their seats in the Royal Box this afternoon – as Redmayne’s wife Hannah sits between them
Hollywood comes to SW19: Sir Sam Mendes was joined by his wife Alison, and were seated behind the Duke of Kent
1. & 2. Andrew Marr and his wife Jackie
BBC broadcaster Andrew Marr took a seat beside his wife Jackie on the far right-hand side of the Royal Box. Marr, 61, looked dapper in a cream blazer, blue shirt and striped tie as the couple took their seats.
Journalist Jackie, who is president of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, donned a chic pair of sunglasses for the outing this afternoon.
The couple have been married for more than 30 years.
3. Sebastian Faulks
Novelist, journalist and broadcaster Sebastian Faulks was among the leading lights invited to take in the action from the Royal Box.
Faulks has previously spoken at the All England Club and has enjoyed a number of visits to SW19 over the years.
Faulks, 68, is best known for his historical novels set in France – The Girl at the Lion d’Or, Birdsong and Charlotte Gray. He was joined in the box by his daughter, Holly, 29.
4. & 5. The Duke of Kent and Lady Helen Taylor
The Queen’s first cousin the Duke of Kent is president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and presents the trophies for the tournament winners and runners-up.
An avid tennis fan, the Duke is a regular fixture at Wimbledon and has made several appearances over the last 10 days.
Although he has previously attended Wimbledon with his wife Princess Michael of Kent, today he was joined by his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, 57, who brought along her 24-year-old son, Cassius.
6. & 7. Sir Sam Mendes and his wife Alison
Film producer, and screenwriter Sir Sam Mendes looked relaxed as he enjoyed the day of tennis alongside his wife of four years Alison.
The Bond director, 55, has been a regularly fixture in the Royal Box, having previously attended in 2009 with his then-wife actress Kate Winslet.
Sam also directed blockbuster 1917, which tells the tale of two British soldiers in World War I, Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake, who receive orders they deem impossible.
Meanwhile his partner Alison has achieved plenty in her own right as a classic BRIT Award-winning trumpeter.
Stylish pair: Sir Sam Mendes and his wife Alison looked cool in sunglasses as they took in the action on Centre Court today
8. James Norton
Actor James Norton opted to wear traditional whites to take their seats in the Royal Box this afternoon – and could be seen shaking hands with fellow actor Eddie Redmayne during the outing.
The 35-year-old is known for roles in the British television series Happy Valley, Grantchester, War & Peace and McMafia.
He earned a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015 for his performance as ex-convict Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley.
9. & 10. Professor Brian Cox and his wife Gia
Professor Brian Cox and his TV presenter wife Gia Milinovich appeared in high spirits as they took their seats in the Royal Box this afternoon.
The couple, who married in 2003, could be seen checking their watches for the time as they excitedly awaited the beginning of the first match on centre court.
Professor Cox is an English physicist and former musician who serves as professor of particle physics in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester – but is perhaps best known as a presenter for science programmes, including Wonders of… series.
Meanwhile his American wife presented television programmes as Channel 4’s Demolition Day (2003–06), as well as Sky Sports, Nickelodeon and BBC Radio 5 Live shows.
They must be on soon! Professor Brian Cox smiles as he looks at his watch while seated next to his wife Gia on Centre Court
The Physicist looked to be enjoying afternoon out at the All England Club…where play started under an open roof despite an inclement weather forecast
11. & 12. Hannah and Eddie Redmayne
Actor Eddie Redmayne and wife Hannah looked every inch the happy couple as they took their seats. Eddie looked dapper in a cream suit which he teamed with a white shirt and striped tie and suede loafers.
Meanwhile Hannah looked stunning in a nude midi dress that featured a colourful butterfly print.
The Oscar-winner, 39, and his PR executive love, 37, looked smitten as they walked to watch one of the matches together, where they were seated alongside BAFTA nominee James Norton.
13. Lord Patten #
The former Hong Kong governor, currently Lord Chancellor at the University of Oxford, is a lifelong tennis fan.
A regular at Wimbledon, Lord Patten, 77, is an All England club member and even became a Members’ Lecture Speaker in 2019. He is joined in the Royal Box by his wife, Lavender.
14. & 15. Melvyn Bragg and Gabriel
Veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, 80, took a seat next to Professor Brian Cox, with the two sharing a smile as he sat down in the front row of the box.
The former footballer opted for a grey checked suit for the occasion, which he paired with a bright red tie.
Lord Bragg, who presented ITV’s flagship arts programme The South Bank Show for more than 30 years, wed his long‑time lover Gabriel Clare-Hunt in his native Cumbria to coincide with his 80th birthday in 2018.
Meanwhile Professor Brian Cox and broadcasters Melvyn Bragg and Sir Trevor McDonald opted for darker suits as they awaited the first ball to be played on Centre Court
Lord Bragg, who presented ITV’s flagship arts programme The South Bank Show for more than 30 years, wed his long‑time lover Gabriel Clare-Hunt in his native Cumbria to coincide with his 80th birthday in 2018 (pictured together)
16. Sir Trevor McDonald
The veteran newsreader could be seen chatting to Eddie Redmayne as he took his seat in the royal box this afternoon.
Sir Trevor first rose to prominence as the presenter of ITN’s News at Ten from 1992 to 1999 before going on to to host ITV’s flagship current affairs programme Tonight with Trevor McDonald in 1999.
He is known for his interviews with prominent figures including Tony Blair, Nelson Mandela and former US President Bill Clinton and was named Newscaster of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999.
His decades as one of Britain’s most trusted journalists saw him rewarded with a knighthood in 1999 for his services to journalism, but he later branded the honour ‘worthless’.
Since his retirement from nightly news in 2008, he has fronted documentaries on topics ranging from the mafia to death row.
