Carole and Pippa Middleton turned away from Royal Box at Wimbledon

Kate Middleton’s sister and mother, Pippa and Carole Middleton, were reportedly banned from the Royal Box at the Wimbledon during Andy Murray’s match against Benoit Paire on Monday. The Duchess of Cambridge’s family were apparently relegated to standard seats after arriving too late, losing their prestigious place at the area reserved for royalty and other high-profile people.

According to local reports, Prince George’s aunt and grandmum failed to secure the sought-after seats in the Royal Box because they arrived too late for the match. As a result, they were referred to separate seats just outside the exclusive area.

Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour and Roger Federer’s wife, Mirka, were able to sit at the Royal Box, according to Hello magazine. They joined other famous personalities in watching Murray defeat Paire.

Pippa and Carole didn’t appear to mind that they were turned away, though. The tennis-loving family were seen chatting with a few friends after the match.

Kate herself was also banned, not only from the Royal Box, but from the game itself at one time. Last month, she told BBC that she was forbidden to watch Wimbledon when she was pregnant with Prince George in 2013. She told BBC that she wanted to go and see Andy Murray’s match, but he told her “definitely not.”

“I was very heavily pregnant with George so I wasn’t able to turn up,” the 35-year-old wife of Prince William said. “I wrote to him afterwards saying sorry for not being there but huge congratulations.”

The Royal Box at Wimbledon, which is being held until Sunday, has 74 seats for invited guests. British and overseas royal families usually occupy the seats, as well as heads of government, British armed forces, and high-profile personalities from the world of tennis, media organisations and supporters of British tennis.

It has a strict dress code, which was why Formula One racing champ was turned away from the seats in 2015. The rule requires men to wear suits or jackets and tie. Hamilton was wearing a flowery shirt.