Maria Sharapova is engaged to Prince William and Harry's friend
British businessman Alexander Gilkes, a close friend of Prince William and Prince Harry, has been engaged to Maria Sharapova since December 2020. The millionaire art dealer met William at Eton, co-founded auction house Paddle8 in 2011, and welcomed son Theodore with the tennis legend in July 2022 while postponing wedding plans. Reports resurfacing around Wimbledon 2026 highlight how the princes' social circle overlaps with one of tennis's most successful champions.
Key Takeaways
- Alexander Gilkes, described as a millionaire businessman, has been engaged to Maria Sharapova for more than five years.
- Both Prince William and Prince Harry are thought to be close friends with Gilkes, who met William at Eton College.
- The couple announced their engagement in December 2020 and welcomed their son, Theodore, in July 2022.
- Sharapova told People Magazine in 2024 that they are not rushing to marry after pausing big wedding plans.
- The story resurfaces as Prince William is expected to attend Wimbledon, where the royals have long-standing ties.
Who is Alexander Gilkes, and how is he linked to the royal family?
Prince William and Prince Harry count Alexander Gilkes among their close friends, according to reports from the Daily Express and AOL. Gilkes first met William as fellow students at Eton College, and the pair are said to have remained close as he built a career in the art world.
The Express describes Gilkes as a millionaire pal who became a well-known art dealer and co-founded the online auction house Paddle8 in 2011. He worked at Paddle8 for two years after graduating from university, and he was among the guests at William and Catherine's wedding in 2011.
Although Gilkes has not spoken publicly about his friendship with the princes, both Harry and William are thought to be close to the businessman. He is also reportedly a close friend of Princess Eugenie, whom he calls "Eug."
How did Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes become a couple?
Maria Sharapova and Gilkes began dating in 2018. Before their relationship, Gilkes was married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo, a mutual friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who was rumoured to have introduced the Sussexes.
Sharapova is widely described as one of the most successful tennis players in history, with multiple Grand Slam titles to her name. Their pairing places a global sports icon alongside a businessman with deep ties to Britain's royal and art circles — a blend that keeps drawing attention in Net Worth & Wealth coverage whenever Wimbledon season puts the royals back in the spotlight.
When did Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes get engaged?
The couple revealed in December 2020 that Gilkes had proposed. Sharapova shared a selfie on Instagram with the caption: "I said yes from the first day we met. This was our little secret, wasn't it."
Gilkes posted his own message at the time: "Thank you for making me a very, very happy boy. I look forward to a lifetime of loving you and learning from you." That means the engagement has now stretched well beyond five years, even as the pair keep a relatively private family life.
Why have Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes delayed their wedding?
The businessman and Grand Slam champion welcomed their son, Theodore, in July 2022. After the birth, they put plans for a "big wedding" on hold, according to both AOL and the Express.
In a 2024 interview with People Magazine, Sharapova said they were "not in a rush" to tie the knot and would likely marry "in the next couple of years." She explained: "We were going to have a big wedding, and then I got pregnant, and so we haven't scheduled a new wedding yet."
As Prince William is expected to appear in the Royal Box at Wimbledon this summer, the royal family's longstanding association with the tournament — including the Princess of Wales's patron role at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club — has again highlighted Gilkes's place in William and Harry's world through his engagement to Sharapova.