The Duke of Cambridge paid a visit to the Lionesses during a training session today, ahead of the upcoming UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
As President of the Football Association and keen supporter of Aston Villa, William was in his element as he spoke to the players.
The Duke of Cambridge received three tops for his children. (Kensington Palace).
The Royal showed off his football skills as he got stuck in with some of the team’s drills.
During the the visit, William accepted the gifts and spoke about his daughter’s football skills noting: “Charlotte wanted me to tell you that she’s really good in goal! She said please tell them that, so I said I would – a budding star for the future!”
HRH speaking to Sarina Wiegman. (Lionesses)
The father-of-three spent time talking with England boss Sarina Wiegman and her staff, plus the Football Association’s director of women’s football, Sue Campbell, and chief executive Mark Bullingham.
The Duke spoke to recreational officers based in the Euro 2022 host cities about legacy plans.
William talking to Leah Williamson. (Lionesses).
Prince William said: :I will be keeping an eye on what you’re doing and be watching the games with the children, and I’ll try to come along where I can to give my support. It’s a big tournament coming up for you all and it’s exciting, and everyone’s looking forward to it. I’ll try to add a little bit of pressure – but not too much!
“We’re all so proud of you, and you should be really proud of yourselves. This is the pinnacle coming up, the next few weeks for you, and I know you’ll do us all proud. Best of luck guys. It’s really exciting. You’re going to have big crowds, good TV (coverage), it’s going to be an awesome summer, it really is.”
⚽️ Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses ahead of this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
A major tournament on home soil is an exciting prospect and it’s clear the players are looking forward to the opportunity to show what they can do. pic.twitter.com/RzoZ4BYvMk
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) June 15, 2022
Skipper Leah Williamson, spent time talking one-on-one with the Duke, said afterwards: “It [the visit] means a lot to us.”
“We’re all very proud to represent England, and therefore representing the Prince and his family. It’s very important to us that we do everybody proud. (He) just (has a) a genuine interest in us and our well-being, and how we cope with everything. How somebody so important can make you feel so comfortable and has a genuine interest in how you are, it says a lot about him I think.”
The Duke of Cambridge has visited England Women ahead of Euro 2022 next month, where he had the opportunity to test his skills on the Lionesses’ goalkeepers pic.twitter.com/fAWs8ND7tv
— PA Dugout (@PAdugout) June 15, 2022
The Duke of Cambridge has been seen at a number of events this week. He joined senior members of the Royal Family for the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Both he and Catherine attended a memorial for the victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy yesterday. It marked the fifth anniversary of the tower block fire that killed 72 people.
