Rishi Sunak used crutches to hobble into the royal box at Wimbledon today, nearly three months after injuring himself while 'showing off' to his daughters during an Easter ski holiday. The former prime minister, 45, was accompanied by his wife Akshata Murty as he made his way to his seat inside Centre Court, drawing attention from spectators and cameras alike.

The sight of Sunak on crutches served as a reminder of the accident that occurred in April 2025, when he was on a family ski trip in the Alps. In a social media post at the time, he wrote: 'Pushed my luck on the slopes this Easter showing off to my daughters. I'm already on the mend and determined to keep up with my meetings and constituency work (although sadly no walks with Nova for a while).' Nova is the family's dog, a golden retriever known to feature in Sunak's social media updates.

The Wimbledon Royal Box

The royal box at Wimbledon is one of the most exclusive enclaves in British sport, reserved for royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities. Today's gathering included Olympic legends Usain Bolt and Seb Coe, former England football manager Roy Hodgson, comedian Rob Brydon, snooker players Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty, physicist Professor Brian Cox, actor Joseph Fiennes, and journalist Andrew Marr. Also spotted around the grounds were Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis, former sprinter Jeanette Kwakye, and England Lioness Beth Mead.

Sunak's presence in the box, despite his limited mobility, underscored his continued public profile as a former prime minister. He has remained active in his constituency of Richmond & Northallerton in North Yorkshire, and his recent appearances—including a commencement address at Claremont McKenna College in California in early May—have kept him in the public eye.

The Ski Injury and Recovery

Sunak's injury happened during the Easter school holidays when he was skiing with his two daughters, Krishna, 15, and Anoushka, 13. In his social media post, he described the incident as a result of 'pushing his luck' and 'showing off'—a rare glimpse into his private family life. The former PM added that he would make the most of his recovery by watching sport on television, a prediction that proved accurate with his Wimbledon appearance.

Medical experts note that serious ski injuries often involve fractures, ligament damage, or both. While Sunak has not disclosed the exact nature of his injury, his continued use of crutches three months after the fall suggests a significant trauma, possibly a broken bone or torn tendon. Recovery times for such injuries can range from six weeks to several months, especially if surgery is required. The fact that he is still hobbling indicates that he may not have fully healed.

A History of Clumsiness

Sunak's ski accident is not his first public mishap. In January 2022, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, he was photographed falling while ice skating at the Natural History Museum in London. On that occasion, he dragged his daughter down with him. An onlooker recalled: 'He was skating for ten minutes before he staggered and dragged her down. People were all looking and had previously been taking pics.' The incident went viral, sparking widespread amusement but also highlighting Sunak's vulnerability to clumsiness.

These episodes have contributed to a humanising image of Sunak, who is often seen as a disciplined, tech-savvy politician with a background in finance. His wife, Akshata Murty, is the daughter of Indian billionaire N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys. The couple's wealth has sometimes been a subject of scrutiny, but their family life—including their two daughters—has been kept relatively private.

Political Career Highlights

Rishi Sunak became the first British Asian prime minister in October 2022, following the resignation of Liz Truss. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Boris Johnson, where he oversaw the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His tenure was marked by the furlough scheme, which protected millions of jobs, but also by controversy over his handling of inflation and public sector spending.

After losing the 2024 general election to the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer, Sunak stepped down as Conservative Party leader and returned to the backbenches. He remains a Member of Parliament for Richmond & Northallerton, a safe Conservative seat in North Yorkshire. Since then, he has focused on constituency work, speaking engagements, and spending time with his family.

In the aftermath of his election defeat, Sunak has maintained a relatively low profile, though he continues to attend public events and represent his constituents. His appearance at Wimbledon is part of that trend, signalling that he is still engaged with the national culture and willing to be seen in social settings.

Life as a Former Prime Minister

Former prime ministers in the UK often remain active in public life, though their influence diminishes. Sunak's role model appears to be John Major, who stayed in Parliament for several years after leaving Downing Street and engaged in charitable work. Others, like Tony Blair and David Cameron, pursued global initiatives and corporate roles. Sunak, at 45, is relatively young for a former PM, and his future options remain open.

His wealth gives him financial independence, but he has indicated a desire to continue in politics in some capacity. Whether he seeks a return to the frontbench or a behind-the-scenes role within the Conservative Party remains to be seen. For now, his priority appears to be recovery from his ski injury and reconnecting with his constituents.

The Wimbledon appearance also highlighted Sunak's fondness for tennis. He has been a regular attendee at the tournament in previous years, often pictured with his wife. The royal box is a prestigious location, and being invited suggests he remains on good terms with the royal household and the tennis establishment.

Other notable figures in the box today included elderly sportsmen and entertainers, all of whom drew their own cheers from the crowd. Sunak, despite his crutches, seemed in good spirits, chatting with neighbours and watching the tennis. His wife Akshata, who graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 2002, stood beside him as they took in the action.

Sunak's injury has also sparked an outpouring of sympathy from the public, many of whom have shared their own skiing mishap stories on social media. The former PM's lighthearted approach to his predicament—he joked about watching sport on telly—has earned him goodwill among voters who appreciate his self-deprecating humour.

Looking ahead, Sunak's recovery is expected to continue through the summer. Whether he will be fully fit in time for the Conservative Party conference or other autumn events remains uncertain. In the meantime, he must rely on crutches for mobility, a visible reminder of the price of parental bravado on the ski slopes.

Source: Daily Mirror News