Lewis Hamilton showed up without a tie and got turned away from Wimbledon

Wimbledon maintains one of the strictest dress codes in sport, and its 74-seat Royal Box is no exception. Men are expected to wear a suit or blazer with a tie, while women are required to dress in smart formal attire, and the rules apply equally to everyone regardless of status or celebrity.

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton found that out the hard way in 2015, when he arrived at Wimbledon without a jacket and tie and was turned away from the Royal Box, missing the men’s final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. His spokesperson later said he was ‘very disappointed’ by the misunderstanding. The dress code had simply not bent for a world champion.

The Royal Box itself, built in 1922 alongside the current Centre Court, holds just 74 dark green wicker chairs positioned directly behind one baseline. Unlike premium hospitality at most major sporting events, it cannot be bought through any package, resale market or corporate connection. Every seat is allocated purely through invitation.

According to the All England Lawn Tennis Club, invitations typically go to royal family members, heads of government, current and former tennis players, commercial partners, armed forces representatives and supporters of British tennis, though the guest list has also included figures such as David Beckham, Roger Federer and Sir David Attenborough.

Guests invited to the box are also welcomed into the Clubhouse, where they receive lunch before play and afternoon tea after the day’s matches, part of an experience that extends well beyond simply watching tennis.

Image: Wikimedia Commons/by GATORFAN2525