Lewis Hamilton (right) even posted a picture of his invitation to watch the men's final match (between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer) in the Royal Box on Instagram, but was turned away because of not adhering to Wimbledon's strict dress code.
By Kevin Rawlinson and Agencies/theguardian.com
Reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was turned away from Wimbledon’s Royal Box on centre court on Sunday because he did not adhere to the Lawn Tennis Association’s dress code.
Hamilton was due to watch Novak Djokovic’s game against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon men’s singles final on Sunday. He even posted a picture of his invitation to watch the match in the Royal Box on Instagram shortly before the start of the final.
The racing driver wrote: “On my way to Wimbledon to watch the final! Honoured to have been invited to watch the men’s finals from the Royal Box!”
Yet, as the final was played out, Hamilton’s seat was left empty.
Men invited into the Royal Box are expected to wear a jacket, tie and shoes. In a second image posted on his Instagram account, which he captioned “Wimbledon”, Hamilton was wearing neither a jacket, nor a a tie.
A spokesman for Hamilton said: “Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding dress code at Wimbledon, Lewis is very disappointed to have missed the men’s final.”
A Wimbledon spokesman confirmed that Hamilton had been due to attend the match, but would not comment on the reason he had not done so.
The spokesman said: “If he was not adequately dressed, you could infer that he would not have been let in, but we do not comment on our guests.”
“If he came without a jacket, tie or shoes, he would have had two choices—not staying, or going to get some extra stuff,” the spokesman added.
Hollywood stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Bradley Cooper and Hugh Grant were in the royal box to watch the highly anticipated men’s final, which Djokovic won in four sets.
Sherlock star Cumberbatch, 38, was joined by his father, Timothy, while 54-year-old Grant sat with TV executive Anna Eberstein, the mother of one of his three children. Oscar nominee Cooper, 40, was in the exclusive area having sat with Federer’s camp during the tournament.
Former Wimbledon winners Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert and Rod Laver were also present.
House of Commons speaker John Bercow did not try to hide his support as he arrived at the All England Club sporting a Roger Federer baseball cap.
Actors Kate Winslet, Helena Bonham Carter and Kristin Scott Thomas were spotted watching the final on centre court, as were veteran actor Sir John Hurt—who recently said he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer—former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Italian football World Cup winner Alessandro Del Piero, actor Clive Owen and Vogue fashion magazine editor Anna Wintour.