This film is part of Free

Duke Beaten at Wimbledon
The future King George VI takes to the court at Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
Overview
The Duke of York, the future King George VI, attempts to rule the courts at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Partnered by his long-time friend and mentor Sir Louis Greig, he faces AW Gore and H Roper Barrett in the first round. Not surprisingly, the cameraman has little interest in subjects other than the Duke - and the Duchess of York watching from the stands. Whether HRH’s somewhat unorthodox serve was a factor in their decisive defeat is unclear.
This is only time a member of the royal family has competed at Wimbledon and it was only made possible because Sir Louis Greig was eligible to enter Wimbledon as the reigning RAF tennis champion. Greig has often been mentioned as the Duke of York’s surrogate father. The met while both at the Royal Naval College on the Isle of Wight and Greig, being 15 years older, took the then Prince Albert under his wing.
Related

Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong Sue Barker plays Evonne Goolagong
Sport 1971 9 mins Location: Torquay
A young pretender takes on the Wimbledon Champion

Festival Wimbledon Festival Wimbledon
Sport 1951 22 mins
Extended highlights from the 1951 Wimbledon Tennis Championships

Centred on Wimbledon Centred on Wimbledon
Sport 1947 23 mins Location: Wimbledon
An account of the 1947 Wimbledon tennis championship

Colourful Wimbledon Colourful Wimbledon
Sport 1954 47 mins Location: Hampton
Wimbledon 1954, from the meticulous preparation of the 16 tennis courts to the finals and the glory on Centre Court.

Sue Barker in the Ladies Tennis BP Cup Sue Barker in the Ladies Tennis BP Cup
News 1977 5 mins Location: Paignton
It's a question of Sue: tennis player Sue Barker competes against an American opponent in the Ladies Indoor Tennis BP Cup.

Torquay interviews with US and UK women's tennis teams Torquay interviews with US and UK women's tennis teams
News 1975 4 mins Location: Torquay
Sue Barker competes in a tennis match in the lead up to the US v. UK Women's Wightman Cup

Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A) Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 45 mins
Afrika Bambaataa and DJ, musician and filmmaker Don Letts discuss the development of Afrofuturism and its key artists.

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.

Screenwriters' Lecture with Brian Helgeland Screenwriters' Lecture with Brian Helgeland
Inside Film 2012 27 mins
L.A. Confidential's screenwriter explains why he thinks writer's block is a myth, and reveals Clint Eastwood's unique powers of persuasion.

Olivier Assayas (Masterclass) Olivier Assayas (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2010 41 mins
Irma Vep writer/director Assayas moved from film journalism to filmmaking – a fascinating journey told with disarming honesty to Jonathan Romney.