Lewis Hamilton was barred from entering the Royal Box during the Wimbledon final on Sunday because he was not wearing a jacket and tie.
Despite receiving an invitation to watch the men’s singles final from the Royal Box, the Formula One champion missed the match owing to an “unfortunate misunderstanding regarding the dress code at Wimbledon”, according to his spokesman.
Earlier in the day Hamilton posted a picture on Instagram showing his Royal Box invitation package, saying he was “honoured” to have received it.
He 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.”
He later posted another picture of himself on Instagram dressed in a colourful shirt and trousers, with the caption “Wimbledon”.
Men who are invited to the exclusive box on Centre Court must wear a jacket, tie and shoes.
A spokesman for Hamilton said: “Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding regarding the dress code at Wimbledon, Lewis is very disappointed to have missed the men’s final.”
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) confirmed that Hamilton was absent from the Royal Box for the final between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
“If [Hamilton] was not adequately dressed you could infer that he would not have been let in, but we do not comment on our guests,” a spokesman said.
“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 that the driver had been at SW19 on Sunday, but left before end of the match.
With the match at 4-3 in the fourth set, they said: “He did come but he has gone. We are not commenting further.” The Telegraph
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