Serena Williams has been crowned the undisputed champion of women's tennis after powering her way to victory at Wimbledon.
The 33-year-old proved too strong for Spain's Garbine Muguruza in the final despite a nervy start, and won her sixth title at SW19 in two sets.
She now holds all four Grand Slam titles and is just one away from Steffi Graf's record of 22.
Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Downton Abbey stars Dame Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery were among the guests in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
Williams, whose mother, Oracene Price, and sister, Venus, were at the All England Club to see her 6-4, 6-4 win, said: "I'm just happy it was such a great match.
"Thanks to everyone in my box - my coach, my mum, my sisters, my friends for always coming out and supporting.
"I love you all so much, I couldn't have done this without you so thank you so much."
It is the second time Williams has completed the "Serena Slam" after she also held all four major titles simultaneously in 2003.
She will now aim to complete the calendar year Grand Slam at the US Open.
After hearing cries of "We love you Serena", Williams turned and blew a kiss to the crowd.
"I can't believe I'm standing here with another Serena Slam, it's really cool," the champion told cheering spectators.
"You guys helped me get through it, I heard all you guys, all the 'I love yous'. I love you more.
"Thank you so much, it's been such a great crowd and a pleasure and an honour to give so many years in this unbelievable stadium."
Williams struggled with her serve in the first set and shouted at herself in anger several times.
Canadian rapper Drake, who has been in her box during much of the championship fortnight, also appeared nervous, holding his head in his hands after Williams lost a match point.
Afterwards the American had words of encouragement for 21-year-old Muguruza, who cried as she received a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd.
Williams told the 6ft starlet: "Congratulations, don't be sad, you'll be holding this trophy very, very soon, believe me."
Muguruza banned her parents from travelling over from Spain for the match because she did not want to change her routine.
She was the first woman to represent Spain in a final at the All England Club since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1996.
Following her defeat, Muguruza said: "I don't have words to say how I feel. I am very proud and happy to be here to play in front of you, amazing crowd, you support me a lot. I can feel it so much."
Asked whether grass was now her favourite surface, she replied: "Yes. In Spain we don't have that much grass but I'm going to change things now."
Williams earned a cool £1.88 million for winning Wimbledon, while Muguruza picked up up £940,000 as the beaten finalist.
Bookmaker Coral said Williams had odds of 5-4 to complete the calender Grand Slam, compared with 66-1 at the start of the year.
Spokesman John Hill said: "It would take a brave person to bet against Serena completing the calendar Grand Slam this year as her form has just been head and shoulders above anyone in women's tennis at the moment."
After securing her sixth SW19 title, Williams becomes the oldest women to win Wimbledon in the open era.
She was in playful mood after her victory, bouncing up and down on court before balancing her trophy on her head.
In the Royal Box, Ms Sturgeon posed for a photograph with nine-times Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova.
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton tweeted: "@serenawilliams proves yet again: anything is possible when you work hard, dream big, and never stop reaching."
Venus Williams posted a picture on Instagram of her sister holding the trophy on Centre Court with the message: "Another day, another Wimbledon title. Congrats @serenawilliams."
Andy Murray was at Centre Court today to support his brother Jamie in the men's doubles final.
Britain's top tennis star, wearing a hoodie and a cap, sat with his wife Kim during the match.
Andy had suggested he may not watch his brother after his crushing defeat by Roger Federer yesterday.
He said: "If it's close to finishing, I'll maybe try to go out and watch the last game or two.
"But I find it very, very difficult watching. I would love to but I get extremely nervous."
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