A Catholic priest from Kentucky has been revealed as the man behind the viral Princess Kate moment at Wimbledon when he shouted "I love you, Kate!" during the trophy presentation on July 13.
Father Jim Sichko, 58, made the spontaneous declaration as the Princess of Wales stepped onto Centre Court to present the gentlemen's singles trophies.
His voice cut through the hushed crowd, prompting Kate to laugh in what spectators described as a rare, unguarded reaction.
The moment quickly spread across social media, capturing widespread attention, which Sichko initially feared his outburst might have been inappropriate.
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|The man who shouted 'I love you Kate' during Wimbledon has celebrated the Princess of Wales as 'authentic'
"I didn't know if anyone heard. I did not even realise that she made any type of response to it," he said, explaining he only discovered Kate's animated reaction later that evening when followers sent him news coverage.
Sichko, a Roman Catholic priest from the Diocese of Lexington and a Missionary of Mercy for Pope Leo XIV, attended the championships with his sister and four couples.
The outing was organised as an auction item to benefit his childhood school in Texas and his papal missionary work.
The 58-year-old priest, who has survived both kidney and prostate cancer, travels 300 days a year as an evangelist and motivational speaker.
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|Father Jim Sichko, a Catholic priest and cancer survivor, initially apologised for 'getting caught up in the moment'
He maintains a large social media following and initially apologised to his followers for the outburst.
"I posted on social media and said to the people who follow me, 'I just want you to know if you were watching — I did this and I want to apologise if it did not sound appropriate, but I was just caught up in the moment,'" he told People Magazine.
Sichko observed Kate's genuine interactions throughout the day.
"She came out and greeted all the children and took time with them. Let me tell you, you can tell if someone is authentic and she is authentic," he said.
"What you see is what you get. You can't make up those types of emotions and conversations and exchanges."
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|Sichko empathised and expressed admiration for Kate's brave openness about her own cancer journey
The priest particularly noted her composure during the trophy presentation to winner Jannik Sinner and runner-up Carlos Alcaraz. "She was very composed, very professional. You could tell she was very much at home."
Sichko's personal experience with cancer deeply influenced his emotional response to seeing Kate return to public duties. The priest has battled both kidney and prostate cancer, giving him unique insight into the challenges she faced.
"I also understand the exhaustion that comes from treatment or surgery. I understand the sense of not necessarily wanting to be out, but knowing that there is work to be done," he told People. "You have to keep going."
Kate's appearance at Wimbledon came six months after she announced her remission from cancer, which she had revealed in March 2024. For Sichko, her presence carried profound meaning.
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|Kate attended the Wimbledon men's final alongside Prince William and their two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte
"I'm in the spotlight in some aspects, but in a much lower form, because I speak constantly," he reflected, acknowledging the pressure of maintaining public appearances whilst managing health challenges.
Sichko emphasised the significance of Kate's transparency about her cancer journey. "It resonates because she could have kept all of that quiet. She could have decided that this is not something we're going to share, but by her sharing her own journey and her treatment, and by her willingness to be present, she is doing a lot to heal not only herself, but others, mentally, spiritually, and figuratively," he said.
The priest connected Kate's return to his work during the Catholic Church's Jubilee Year of Hope. "She is sending a message that everyone is vulnerable, and through that vulnerability, you embrace it, you persevere, and you do what you got to do, and that provides strength and hope for people."
"Our world is in a real difficult place right now, and I believe that she exhibits hope and love and radiance, and that's what we need in the world."
The Princess of Wales attended the final day with Prince William and their two eldest children, Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 10.
Prince Louis, 7, remained at home but received a souvenir from his siblings.