Rumor Mill: Kate Middleton To Become Patron Of All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club

As the Queen of England approaches her 90th birthday, rumors are strife that she is giving the patronage of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (AELTC) to the Duchess of Cambridge.

When Will Kate Get The Patronage?

The Queen is reportedly looking to cut down the amount of work she carries out. The Daily Mail reports that her Majesty is reconsidering how much time she gives to the different charities and organizations that she is involved with at this point.

One of the organizations is the AELTC. The Queen has been patron of the club for 64 years. According to several sources, it is said that the 89-year-old is going to give the patronage to the Duchess of Cambridge. The Sunday Times is reporting that Kate Middleton will be announced as a patron during the tennis championships at Wimbledon this summer. This will not be the Duchess' first association with the AELTC. She accepted an honorary membership to the club in 2013. 

Wimbledon Appearances

Her Majesty has been the patron of the AELTC for 64 years. During this time, she has only attended Wimbledon three times since her first appearance in 1957. In one of her appearances at Wimbledon, the Queen presented the winners trophy to Virginia Wade.

There is no doubt that the Duchess of Cambridge will be seen at Wimbledon on a more regular basis, due to her lifelong passion for the game. Along with her sister Pippa Middleton, the young royal has been a regular at Wimbledon in recent years. Since marrying into the royal family, she has often been seen in the royal box during Wimbledon.

Is This The End Of The Queen's Association With The Club?

Despite the fact the Queen Elizabeth appears to be handing over her role as patron to the Duchess of Cambridge, she is making sure that everyone knows she will still be involved with the AELTC in some way. According to a source, her Majesty is mindful that "she does not want organizations with which she is associated to think that when she turns 90, that's it — it's goodbye."  The source then went on to say that it "will not be the case at all."