William scores against England players during send-off reception

Showing off his fancy footwork, Prince William scored against one of England’s midfielders, as he bid the women’s football team goodbye ahead of the European Championship.

Prince William played football with the England women’s team at Kensington Palace, scoring a penalty (Kensington Palace)

The Duke of Cambridge invited England’s Lionesses to Kensington Palace for a breakfast reception to wish them luck.

President of the FA, William chatted with the players inside, hearing about their training for the competition, before taking to the palace gardens for a kickabout, with a local girls’ team.

The Prince took a penalty against the England midfielder Jill Scott, and scored, looking rather proud. He then took a turn in goal himself, not fending off balls too well.

During the event, the father-of-two revealed he’s trying to get George and Charlotte into the sport, who were – at the time – ‘making a ruckus in the garden’, the Duke said.

After the reception The Duke joined the @Lionesses for a kick-about with a girls football team from the Wildcats Girls’ Football programme. pic.twitter.com/MI9YsgVoEj

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) July 13, 2017

“He said at the moment he’s trying to teach George that football is actually a contact sport,” player Casey Stoney said. “But George doesn’t really like it when he’s palming him off and getting physical.”

“[William] said he’s really encouraging his kids to get involved with sport,” Stoney added.

The second-in-line to the throne says he’s hoping both of his children will find a sport they’re passionate about, and young people is one of the three main causes that the Royal Foundation champions.

WILLIAM ATTENDS SPANISH STATE BANQUET WITH KATE & HARRY 

Ending the event, the Prince posed for a photo with the team, and said that he was sure the team were ‘going to nail it’.

“I’ll do my best to get out there to the final,” William promised.