Roger Federer has delivered a fittingly regal performance before a star-studded royal box to edge ever closer to a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon crown.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Rod Laver and the first couple of tennis, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, were treated to a majestic display from the Swiss master on Wednesday.

Federer needed just one hour and 32 minutes to swat Mikhail Youzhny aside 6-1 6-2 6-2 to book a likely blockbuster semi-final on Friday with world No.1 Novak Djokovic.

So dominant was Federer that his vanquished opponent at one point turned to the royal box and sought advice from the great Agassi.

“What do I have to do here?” Youzhny shrugged.

But the Russian was utterly powerless to stop the 16-times major winner from inflicting a 14th defeat from 14 encounters with his career contemporary.

Prince William and Kate were also suitably impressed as Federer set yet another record that may stand the test of time.

The 30-year-old surpassed Jimmy Connors for the most grand slam semi-final appearances after qualifying for the 33rd of his incomparable career.

Federer’s 64th match win at Wimbledon also eclipsed Pete Sampras’s 63, leaving the Swiss superstar behind only Connors (84) and Boris Becker (71).

Now Djokovic almost certainly stands in his way of the chance to join Sampras with seven titles at the All England Club.

But should he find seventh heaven on Sunday, Federer would also supplant Djokovic as world No.1 and equal Sampras’s all-time record of 286 total weeks atop the rankings.