Royals at Wimbledon 2014

The Duke of Kent is the royal star at the end of Wimbledon fortnight as he steps onto the court to present the trophies to the singles champions with the world's media watching (the doubles winners go to him and hop into the royal box for their trophy presentations).  But during the Championships, although the duke is there, others royals get the attention.  And so far this week, the wives of the heirs to two of Europe's oldest thrones have stolen all the glances.  Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was in the front row of the royal box yesterday to watch a thriller of a four setter starring Rafael Nadal and Lukas Rosol.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark join in the applause for the players on Centre Court

The future queen looked to be enjoying herself while her sports mad husband, Frederik, watched with interest.  They were in the front row of a star studded royal box which also included Downton Abbey star, Michelle Dockery, Olympic gold medallists Denise Lewis, Sir Steve Redgrave and Jonathan Edwards as well as the Duchess of Cambridge's brother and sister, James and Pippa Middleton.

Mary and Fred get the best seats in a star studded royal box on day four of Wimbledon 2014

On Wednesday, the Duchess of Cornwall had enjoyed a day of tennis at the All England Club and met several of the stars playing that day before settling into the royal box for their matches.

The Duchess of Cornwall meeting some of the ballboys and ballgirls at Wimbledon on June 25th 2014

As the competition hots up, there could well be other royal visitors to the box with seats for both the singles finals hotly contested.  And plenty of royal watchers will be hoping for a glimpse of Spain's new monarchs, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, if Rafael Nadal gets to the final again - they attended as Prince and Princess of Asturias when he first won the title in 2008.  King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians have also been regular visitors and were there when Justine Henin lost in her first Grand Slam final to Venus Williams.  The Duchess of Cambridge visited the royal box in 2011 and 2012, only missing last year as she was in the final stages of her pregnancy. However, it's rare to see the Queen at Wimbledon although she did famously present the trophy to Virginia Wade in 1977, her Silver Jubilee year.  

The Duchess of Cambridge in the royal box at Wimbledon in 2011, not long after her wedding

But there's little doubt that even if all the royals in Europe decided to come to the two big matches, the main seat in the royal box on finals' day belongs to the Duke of Kent.Wimbledon doesn't end without him.

Henrik's happy birthday

Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark went back to his roots on June 11th 2014 to mark his 80th birthday.  The little boy born in Talence, France in 1934 returned there exactly eight decades on with his family around him.  But while plenty of other 80th birthdays went unreported yesterday, this one drew plenty of attention.  Because the man returning to his boyhood home was bringing a royal family with him for the occasion.  Eighty years after the birth of Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, he came back as Prince Henrik of Denmark - consort to the oldest monarchy in the world.

Prince Henrik of Denmark with his family on his 80th birthday, June 11th 2014

At his side was his wife of 47 years, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, as well as two future kings of the country he now calls home - Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Christian.  But while there have been many official celebrations for the Prince Consort's birthday in Denmark, this was a family affair with his other son, Joachim, and his other seven grandchildren running around in casual clothes while his two daughters-in-law, Mary and Marie, looked on.

Henrik of Denmark and his queen, Margrethe, with some of their grandchildren and their daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary

The prince's day was spent privately at the Chateau de Cayx with celebrations well away from the cameras, after the photo call had taken place.

The best present of all - Henrik surrounded by his family on his big birthday

Henrik and Margrethe were one of the first royal couples in Europe to declare publicly how they had married for love - setting a pattern for modern monarchical marriages that has seen the family tree of Europe's monarchies change forever.  And on his 80th birthday, the devotion between queen and consort was still clear to see.  Behind the celebrations and the history, a couple in love remained the foundation stone of Denmark's 21st century royals.

Henrik and Margrethe of Denmark