Will and Kate are stars at Wimbledon

Will and Kate are stars at Wimbledon

They ought to call the venerable tennis tournament "Royal Wimbledon," what with all their Highnesses taking in the action in this year's meet.

On Wednesday, where it's not Independence Day in the U.K., it was Prince William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, now Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, who were front and center in the royal box watching the Swiss Roger Federer beat the Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

Will and Kate looked happy, they looked relaxed, they looked fab. They got a loud ovation when they arrived, and broad smiles covered the faces of the people sitting around them, according to the pictures. They chatted privately and joked with people sitting nearby.

She had on the $1,750 Alexander McQueen clingy, creamy cable-knit sailor dress she first wore a y ear ago during the couple's tour of Canada shortly after their April 2011 wedding, according to the hrhduchesskate blog that tracks her fashion. (Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted wearing a navy blue version in 2006.) He had on a blue suit and pale tie.

It was their first trip to Wimbledon since this year's tournament began nine days ago, although others in the family have already been there. Her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, have been twice, once in the royal box, and siblings Pippa and James also turned up in the royal box last week. His father and stepmother, Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, were in the royal box last week, too.

One person happy to see them was Federer, who told reporters that it's good for the game when royalty shows up. "I think it's inspiring," he said. "I'm happy they came to support tennis and to support me. It was very special."

The couple were expected to head for Edinburgh later, to be there for the ceremon y Thursday in which William will be installed as a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, the highest order of chivalry in Scotland that grandmother Queen Elizabeth II can gift. Coming at the time of William's 30th birthday last month, it is believed to be a bid to strengthen the royal family's ties to Scotland ahead of a planned referendum on Scottish independence.