Joined by British tennis player Katie Boulter, 22, and Anne Keothavong, 35, captain of the British Women’s Fed Cup tennis team, she sat among ball girls and boys to watch the match for an hour. She left at the end of the first set, which Dart lost. But possibly inspired, the young Londoner, who was given a free wildcard entry into the tournament by organisers, went on to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes. The Duchess, who is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, was asked if she had enjoyed the match as she headed off through the crowds. She replied: “Yes, very much so. Yes, definitely.”

Later Harriet said it was an honour to have a royal fan and insisted Kate’s presence had not put her off in what turned out to be her first ever win at Wimbledon.

Describing the experience as “surreal”, she said with a smile: “Any of you guys had the Duchess watch you play?”

Harriet, playing in only her second Wimbledon, said: “I was aware she was watching. The chair umpire mentioned it before the coin toss.

“It’s pretty cool to have royalty watching you. Such a privilege for me for her to see me play.”

She added: “Hopefully she’ll come to many more of my matches.”

Kate went on to watch stars warm up for matches at the Aorangi Park practice courts where she met two-time champion Sir Andy Murray, 32, and British women’s number one Johanna Konta, 28.

She later headed to Court One to watch Konta cruise to victory in her first round match, beating Romanian Ana Bogdan 7-5, 6-2.

Kate also spent time in the royal box alongside England cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott. Other VIPs at Wimbledon included boxer David Haye and TV presenter Melanie Sykes.

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