Camilla quizzes Wimbledon players and staff about heatwave

She spoke to them before taking a seat in the Royal Box where other guests included US ambassador Woody Johnson on the eve of Donald Trump’s visit to the UK.

Also expected to watch the men’s quarter-finals are actress Dame Maggie Smith, businessman Sir Richard Branson and golfer Rory McIlroy.

But before play started on Centre Court, Camilla met Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid who triumphed in the wheelchair men’s doubles at Wimbledon last year.

Hewett described meeting her as an “honour”, saying they had discussed their championships getting under way on Thursday.

While Hewett was keen to say he would be cheering on England in their World Cup semi-final, Scotsman Reid would only say that he would be watching the match, not being drawn into whether he would be supporting the home side.

Wearing a beige and white polka dot dress by Fiona Clare, the duchess also spoke to head groundsman Grant Cantin.

He said: “It was an honour just to be invited to meet her.

“She asked about the tennis courts and the heat. It was a proud moment for her to recognise the hard work that goes into keeping them in great shape.”

Major Alan McTaggart, the officer in charge of the 353 service personnel at Wimbledon this year, said Camilla asked him about how the staff were holding up in their uniforms considering the heat.

Three-time champion Novak Djokovic and world number one Rafael Nadal are both due to play on Centre Court in front of the duchess.

The Serbian is up first on Centre Court against Kei Nishikori, from Japan, for a place in the semi-final.

Spaniard Nadal will then take on Juan Martin Del Potro, from Argentina.

Defending champion Roger Federer is playing South African Kevin Anderson on Court One.