Serena "looking forward" to Markle watching the final

As expected, the Wimbledon women's final on Saturday will be a royal affair. But this time, it'll be even more special as Serena Williams will take the court against Angelique Kerber in front of her longtime friend, Megan Markle.

Markle happens to be the newest member of the royal family. She married Prince Harry in May to become the Duchess of Sussex. She'll be joined in the royal box by the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

Middleton will also watch the men's final on Sunday with her husband, Prince William, but people are more excited for Markle and Middleton's first solo outing together. Williams has been playing coy about the possible appearance all week.

"Stay tuned for the next episode, Serena Williams Centre Court," was her response on Tuesday when asked if Markle would be coming.

Then on Thursday, she was told the official announcement from the palace had arrived.

"I don't know. There's word on the street...." she said. "There you go. It came from the palace that she is coming on Saturday."

Williams was at Markle's wedding in May just before playing the French Open.

"We've always had a wonderful friendship," Williams said of Markle. "Every year for a couple years she comes out to Wimbledon, has supported me. Now she's supporting me in a different role. But our friendship is still exactly the same. I look forward to it."

When she takes the court on Saturday, she'll be seeking her record-tying 24th Grand Slam title.