In what it described as a ``grievous double fault,'' The Daily Telegraph reported in a front-page story today that All England Club chairman John Curry sent a ``curt letter'' to the Duchess informing her that children were unwelcome in the Royal Box.

Curry, who is responsible for issuing invitations to the 75-seat box, sent the letter following an incident at this year's tournament when the Duchess was refused permission to sit in the box with the 12-year-old son of a friend.

The Duchess was also asked to restrict the number of guests she invites into the box to one each day, the paper said.

The 66-year-old Duchess, whose husband the Duke of Kent has been president of the All England Club for 30 years, reportedly received the letter last week.

The DailyTelegraph said the Duchess was considering boycotting the Royal Box -- except on the days when men's and women's finals are played -- she would continue to present the trophies -- in favour of acquiring her own tickets for Centre court or Court 1.

An avid tennis fan, the Duchess has been involved in some memorable trophy presentations at Wimbledon.

In 1993, images of her consoling a tearful Jana Novotna, the losing women's finalist, were screened or printed around the world. Her presentation of trophies has become a Wimbledon tradition.

``Every year we write to all the Royals, invite them and tell them how many guests they can bring,'' Curry was quoted as saying. ``It has never been a problem before as far as I am aware. Only Royal children are allowed in the Royal box. We don't encourage other children.''

In an editorial, The Daily Telegraph said such ``rudeness'' was hurtful to the Duchess, who is Wimbledon's ``best loved and long-lasting face.''

``The Club has been accused of snobberyand arrogance before,'' the editorial said. ``Even by its own standards, however, managing to offend its principal Royal supporter must surely count as a grievous double fault.''