Kate Middleton whips out rarely-seen accessory at Wimbledon in unusual royal moment

Kate Middleton has flashed a rarely-seen accessory on her Wimbledon visit, reminding royal fans everywhere that, behind the jewels and crown, she's really just like them.  

• Kate Middleton flashed a rarely-seen accessory at her Wimbledon appearance this morning in an unusually relatable royal moment. 
• The Duchess of Cambridge whipped out the accessory while watching a doubles match at the famous tennis tournament, only to quickly put it away. 
• In other royal news, Prince William and Prince Harry showed 'unity' as they honored their late mother Princess Diana.
  

The Duchess of Cambridge has kicked the weekend off with a sporty bang, attending an outdoor tennis match at Wimbledon this morning. 

Kate arrived to a warm welcome at the famous Championships, where she was seated alongside Sally Bolton OBE and Tim Henman OBE in the prestigious Royal Box. The appearance marks the second athletic event in her calendar this week, having already enjoyed England's football win against Germany with Prince William and Prince George on Tuesday. 

Kate showed up to the tournament in her usual polished attire, rocking her signature chestnut locks and a pristine summer outfit. The Duchess went for the color-coordinated look, complete with a navy blazer and midi navy skirt with white polka dots. She teamed the jacket with a classic white top, which perfectly complemented the ensemble's nautical theme. 

As for accessories, Kate kept it simple with a newly-purchased small Mulberry white handbag and white heels. She also wore pearl earrings, a delicate necklace, her iconic engagement ring —which belonged to Princess Diana—and, of course, a floral face mask. 

The elegant outfit is emblematic of the Duchess's typical style, but there was one subtle accessory that added a twist to the traditional outfit. Kate was spotted whipping out a blue phone case during Jamie Murray's doubles match at 11am, a habit that—while most people are guilty of—is rarely observed in the royal icon. The tech accessory is almost never seen in the Duchess's hands—and there's a very simple reason for that. 

While royal family members do own personal cell phones, they are reportedly discouraged from using them in public. It's advised that they keep them in their pockets or bags as much as possible, so they can be free from distractions at public engagements and formal ceremonies. 

Of course, this so-called royal protocol is actually just a guideline—and Kate is free to scroll on her phone whenever she pleases. The Duchess was photographed looking interested in the blue-encased mobile, seemingly unaware that Tim Henman is catching a curious glimpse of her screen himself. 

While it's unclear what exactly Kate was viewing on her device, it didn't seem to consume her attention for too long. The ever-professional royal ditched the phone after a few moments to catch up on the match and chat with her accompaniments, before moving into Wimbledon's Wingfield kitchen to prepare some strawberry treats with chef Adam Fargin. Now that's what we call a healthy afternoon.