Welsh Guards belt out Sweet Caroline paying tribute to Lionesses as England’s 3-1 victory over Australia lands them a place in World Cup Final – while stadium speakers blare the anthem ‘adding insult to injury’ for Matildas fans after their loss

The Welsh Guards brought in a performance from Buckingham Palace’s Sweet Caroline today as the Lionesses won Australia 3-1 to take the nation to a World Cup final for the first time since 1966.

Dressed in their iconic red coats and bearskin caps, the guards performed a musical rendition of the song, which has become the anthem of England women’s football success.

It came as devastated Aussie fans heard the song played at the stadium in Sydney, which some described as ‘making things worse’.

The poignant and uplifting performance took place during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the front of the palace for fans of the royals to enjoy.

The Welsh Guards Band was led by Band Major, Major Petritz-Watts, the first female leader of the guards band.

The English footballers today celebrate their victory in the semi-final of the Women’s World Cup at Stadium Australia in Sydney

The video was also shared by the royal family’s official account, as a sign that the king and queen are keeping abreast of the team’s success

The British Army shared a video of the moment on social media congratulating the lionesses, adding: “Good times never seem so good.”

The video was also shared by the royal family’s official account, as a sign that the king and queen are keeping abreast of the team’s success.

Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a personal message from Prince William, who said: ‘What a phenomenal performance from the Lionesses – on to the final!

“My condolences to The Matildas, you played brilliantly and were fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup.”

While there was much festivity in the royal family and across the country to hear the tune, which became a beacon of the Lionesses’ victory at the Euros Championships last year, it was met with less enthusiasm by Aussie fans down under.

The home favorites appeared to have got England back as a brilliant goal from star striker Sam Kerr made it 1-1 in the second half after Ella Toone’s superb first half opener to put England ahead.

But a brutal backlash from Wiegman’s team of Lauren Hemp, followed soon after by Alessia Russo, made the final score an insurmountable 3-1 for the co-hosts with New Zealand.

Fans in the stadium, who also hoped to see their side reach their first-ever World Cup final following their victory to move into the semi-finals, saw them go further than ever before, were less than impressed to see the number dropped so soon after the match was played. final whistle.

Sweet Caroline was blasted around the stadium after the Lionesses beat home favorites Australia

One wrote on X, or Twitter, “Now to add insult to injury, Sweet Caroline?”

Added a second: ‘Record crowd for a football game in Australia. They go to England (not a holiday after all).

“And then THEIR OWN PEOPLE subject them to Sweet Caroline. Layers upon layers of torture.’

A third described the choice as “the final insult,” while another said they “couldn’t think of anything worse” after losing such an important match.

But England fans disagreed. One woman compared the joy of hearing the national anthem at the end of the match as unbeatable.

She joked, “Giving birth to my first child probably won’t compete with this. It can come close at best.”

And the players seemed to agree, as did Sarina Wiegman, who seemed emotional after the game when the team sang along to the tune.

The song, which is an unofficial anthem for the team, was sung recently after the Lionesses won the European Championship – and was even sung by the players as they interrupted a press conference with manager Wiegman minutes later.