Yesterday, the Lionesses won their FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinal and booked their spot into the final on Sunday. The Lionesses are England’s women’s national football team, and they’re pretty amazing. Last year, they won the Women’s Euros and you have to think that the Lionesses are a favorite coming into the World Cup final. After the Lionesses won yesterday, Prince William tweeted his congratulations from God knows where. William has been “on holiday” since the Wimbledon men’s final in July. The thing is, William isn’t merely a football enthusiast, he’s president of the Football Association. Literally, his job is to attend football matches and hype England’s national teams. Except the FA President can’t be bothered to actually attend these major soccer games. Kensington Palace furiously briefed the media, telling outlets that of course William would NEVER cut his holiday short to fly to Australia for the final.
The Prince of Wales will not travel to Australia for the Women’s World Cup final despite the Lionesses’ historic semi-final victory over the host nation.
Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, was watching on television as England beat Australia 3-1, securing a place in the final for the first time.
As the Lionesses celebrated on the pitch following the final whistle, the Prince tweeted: “What a phenomenal performance from the @Lionesses – on to the final! Commiserations to @TheMatildas, you’ve played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup. W.”
The Prince is understood to have made the decision not to fly due to the distance involved for such a short trip. His grandmother, Elizabeth II attended the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley and presented captain Bobby Moore with the trophy.
Sources suggested there were other ways to support the team and the Prince is expected to be watching from afar with his family.
The Prince also opted against travelling to Qatar for the men’s World Cup in December, although England did not make it past the quarter finals.
[From The Telegraph]
“The Prince is understood to have made the decision not to fly due to the distance involved for such a short trip.” Poor widdle baby might be jet-lagged! He might have to actually extend some effort and be uncomfortably tired for a few days, all to attend a historic final for English football and a huge moment for England’s women athletes. You mean being FA president might actually involve WORK? Don’t they know that William detests anything resembling WORK? “Sources suggested there were other ways to support the team and the Prince is expected to be watching from afar with his family.” Those “sources” are Kensington Palace staffers who probably laughed at the suggestion that William would do anything other than sit on his ass and watch TV.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge visits The Spartans FC and Community Association in Edinburgh to see the positive impact of the Heads Up ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ declaration in Scotland. May 21 2021,Image: 611999763, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS /rota / Avalon
The Duke of Cambridge, President of the Football Association, during a visit to Dulwich Hamlet FC at the Champion Hill Stadium in south London, where he met with players, club management, and football fans from a range of clubs to discuss the independent Fan Led Review of Football Governance. Picture date: Thursday September 23, 2021. See PA story ROYAL William .,Image: 633764337, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (C) poses with the England’s football jersey bearing the names of his three children and with the England’s women football team players during a visit at their training centre at St George’s Park, in Burton-upon-Trent on June 15, 2022.,Image: 699997441, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: PAUL ELLIS / Avalon
Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) speaks with England’s defender and captain Leah Williamson as he attends the England’s women football team training session during a visit of their training centre at St George’s Park, in Burton-upon-Trent on June 15, 2022.,Image: 699997519, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: PAUL ELLIS / Avalon
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge congratulates Beth Mead (7 England) tournament top goalscorer after England women 2-1 the UEFA Euro 2022 Final women’s football match between England v Germany at Wembley Stadium in London, England.,Image: 711049187, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Richard Callis/SPP/Panoramic / Panoramic / Avalon
Beth Mead (7 England) top goalscorer at EURO 2022 after England women 2-1 the UEFA Euro 2022 Final women’s football match between England v Germany at Wembley Stadium in London, England.,Image: 711049189, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Richard Callis/SPP/Panoramic / Panoramic / Avalon
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge congratulates Alex Greenwood (5 England) after England women 2-1 the UEFA Euro 2022 Final women’s football match between England v Germany at Wembley Stadium in London, England.,Image: 711049198, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Richard Callis/SPP/Panoramic / Panoramic / Avalon
Britain’s Prince William, the Prince of Wales and President of the FA, centre, visits England’s national football centre at St. George’s Park to mark its 10th anniversary as the home of English football, in Burton upon Trent, England, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.,Image: 728287524, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: POOL PHOTO, Model Release: no, Credit line: Rui Viera / Avalon
Britain’s Prince William, the Prince of Wales and President of the FA, centre right, stands with England soccer coach Gareth Southgate, centre left, as he visits England’s national football centre at St. George’s Park to mark its 10th anniversary as the home of English football, in Burton upon Trent, England, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.,Image: 728290132, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: POOL PHOTO, Model Release: no, Credit line: Rui Viera / Avalon
Prince William, The Prince of Wales during a visit to St. George’s Park in Burton upon Trent to mark its 10th anniversary as the home of English football. Featuring: Prince William Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 05 Oct 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
Prince William, The Prince of Wales during a visit to St. George’s Park in Burton upon Trent to mark its 10th anniversary as the home of English football. Featuring: Prince William Where: London, England, United Kingdom When: 05 Oct 2022 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images **North America Rights Only**
The Prince of Wales speaks to members of England Women’s football team during a visit to St George’s Park, in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Featuring: Millie Bright and William, Prince of Wales Where: Burton on Trent, United Kingdom When: 20 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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