Why Carole and Pippa Middleton were refused this royal privilege at Wimbledon

Carole and Pippa Middleton were denied a snazzy royal privilege at Wimbledon in 2017, leaving them to endure a slightly less comfortable viewing experience. 

• Carole and Pippa Middleton were denied entry to the Royal Box at Wimbledon in 2017, after reportedly arriving late to watch Andy Murray compete against Benoit Paire. 
• The Duchess of Cambridge's mum and sister were relegated to 'commoner' seats behind the exclusive spectators' area instead. 
• In other royal news, Carole Middleton stuns in floral print Boden jumpsuit at Wimbledon and it's still in stock.
  

Carole and Pippa Middleton may be related to royalty by marriage – but that doesn't mean they're always guaranteed the VIP treatment. 

Kate Middleton's mother and younger sister were once refused entry to the Royal Box at Wimbledon, after reportedly arriving late for Andy Murray's match against Benoit Paire in 2017. The exclusive area, reserved for celebrities, athletes, and of course, the Royal Family, is known for its cushy seats and unlimited complimentary refreshments – making it one of the most coveted viewing spots at the iconic tennis tournament. (We're guessing the Cambridge children are particularly enthralled by those delectable Wimbledon strawberries and cream too). 

It also, evidently, enforces a strict policy on punctuality – and it looks like nobody is exempt from the rule. 

Having failed to show up on time for the highly-anticipated match in July 2017, Carole and Pippa were denied admission to the Royal Box and left to join their fellow commoners in the standard seating area of the club. 

Oh, and if you're wondering why the mother-daughter duo couldn't just purchase last-minute tickets themselves, that's because there was literally no option to do so. Entry to the prestigious box is invitation-only, meaning the only way to secure a spot is to be approved by the Chairman of the All England Club. 

Luckily, the 'snub', which went largely unnoticed by royal fans at the time, didn't seem to dampen the Middletons' spirits. Photos of Carole and Pippa at Wimbledon 2017 that were later shared online showed the two smiling and clapping during the event, suggesting they'd quickly gotten over the awkward demotion. They also seem to have learned their lesson, appearing in the Royal Box at every tennis tournament since.