Prince William will not be at the World Cup final to watch England’s Lionesses play against Spain, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The Lionesses made history by beating Australia 3-1 today to secure their place in England’s first World Cup final since 1966. Ella Toone scored the opener for Sarina Wiegman’s side before Sam Kerr scored a stunning equalizer midway through the second half to bolster Australia’s hopes of reaching the final.
But Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, will watch the final on television.
No specific reason has been given for the decision, but taking part in the final would mean a long flight to Australia for a short period of time.
After the game, The Prince of Wales praised the team. He wrote on Twitter: “What a phenomenal performance from the – on to the final! With pity, you played brilliantly and were fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup. W’
Prince William will not be at the World Cup final to watch England’s Lionesses play Spain
England’s tactical mastermind Sarina Wiegman smiled as she spoke to the prince just a month before the team’s historic win against Germany in 2022
The then Duke of Cambridge got to know the Lionesses while visiting the team’s training camp at St George’s Park in June ahead of Euro 2022
The royal family is currently on summer vacation and traveling around the world is something that those in the public eye have been criticized for before.
Tackling climate change has been cited as one of the prince’s priorities.
Veteran royal journalist Phil Dampier has criticized the royal family’s decision to miss Sunday’s final, which airs at 11am.
He wrote on social media: “If Prince William does not go to the Women’s World Cup final as president of the FA, we need to be told why not. It’s a long road and Australia hasn’t had a visit from him or the king since Charles came to the throne. That is the problem. If the final was in Europe, he’d be there!’
The prince was also not at the World Cup for men in Qatar last year, because of the controversies surrounding it. But it was reported that he ‘might’ have been present if they had managed to reach the final.
King Charles congratulated the team. In his message, he said: “My wife and I join the whole family in sending our heartfelt congratulations to the mighty Lionesses on reaching the World Cup final, and sharing our very best wishes for Sunday’s game.
“While your victory cost the magnificent Matildas their shot at the biggest prize in the game, both teams have been an inspiration both on and off the pitch – and that is why both nations are united in pride, admiration and respect.”
Like Prince William, many fans will choose to stay in England and enjoy the game at home or in a fan zone.
Prince William praised a ‘phenomenal’ performance by the Lionesses after their 3-1 win against Australia on Wednesday
The Lionesses made history by beating Australia 3-1 today to secure their place in England’s first World Cup final since 1966
Prince William has spent time with a number of England players over the years in his role as president of the FA. Pictured: The Prince of Wales hugs Leah Williamson during the Euros final – which England won last year after beating Germany
The Lionesses have clearly once again captured the hearts and minds of a nation as all three Boxpark fan zones in London sold out eight minutes after the final whistle.
A Boxpark spokesman said 2,500 tickets at their locations in Shoreditch, Wembley and Croydon sold out in less than 10 minutes.
England’s ecstatic fans have flocked Twitter to celebrate the achievement, and several supporters used memes to excite the tournament hosts following their exit from the World Cup.
A fan zone in Boxpark Croydon turned into a makeshift dance floor on Wednesday as the Lionesses confirmed their place in the final and knocked out the hosts.
The only person who appeared to be sitting when the final whistle blew at the South London venue was a lone Australian at the front of the zone.
The team’s official Twitter account posted three behind-the-scenes images in Sydney.
It was titled ‘Good times never seemed so good!’ – lyrics to the Neil Diamond classic that has become something of a celebratory anthem for England in recent tournaments.
Boss Sarina Wiegman was clearly keen to keep the festivities under control, even telling defender Lucy Bronze to stop jumping and immediately begin preparations for Sunday’s showpiece final.
The Lionesses celebrated reaching their first World Cup final, and England’s first in nearly 60 years, by dancing to Sweet Caroline today – but there were only sodas in sight with one more step to go on their way to glory
Boss Sarina Wiegman was clearly keen to keep the festivities under control, even telling defender Lucy Bronze to stop jumping and immediately begin preparations for Sunday’s showpiece final.
The team’s official Twitter account posted three behind-the-scenes images in Sydney, following a historic 3-1 victory over old rivals, Australia
Australian fans were left crying in their beer as goals for England from Toone, Hemp and Alessia Russo sealed victory and kept the Lionesses 90 minutes clear of two major trophies in just under 13 months.
England now take on Spain at 11am UK time on Sunday for the trophy, after beating Sweden 2-1 yesterday to book their trip to the final.
The match comes just over a year after England won Euro 2022 by beating Germany and is England’s first World Cup final since the men’s famous victory in 1966.
Lionesses fans in the fan zones put children on their shoulders, danced on tables and sang football hits after the historic victory.
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