Prince William has apologised for not attending the Women’s World Cup final in person to cheer on the Lionesses in a video message with Princess Charlotte.
The Prince of Wales, who is also the president of the Football Association, has faced a major backlash over his decision not to fly to Australia for England’s first World Cup final since 1966.
Sitting on a bench next to his daughter Princess Charlotte, William said: ‘Lionesses, I want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow.
‘We’re sorry we can’t be there in person but we’re so proud of everything you have achieved and the millions you’ve inspired here and around the world. So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.’
A beaming Charlotte, who is clutching a football in the short clip, added: ‘Good luck Lionesses!’
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also not expected to attend tomorrow’s final against Spain which has fuelled further criticism – as the government frantically scrambled Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to Sydney to support Sarina Wiegman’s side.
Prince William has apologised for not attending the Women’s World Cup final to cheer on the Lionesses in video message with Charlotte
Kensington Palace confirmed earlier this week that the Prince of Wales would not be making the trip Down Under. He will instead be roaring on the Lionesses – who are playing in their first ever World Cup final – from home.
The cost of the trip and carbon footprint were cited as reasons for the prince not to go.
But as critics rounded on the prince this week, Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, told MailOnline yesterday: ‘It’s utterly ridiculous that England wasn’t and still isn’t prepared to celebrate the women’s World Cup final.
‘The President of the Football Association, Prince William isn’t bothering to attend, licensing laws haven’t been relaxed, there won’t be a screen at Trafalgar Square, and there’s been no word of any kind of large celebration should they win.
‘This last minute scramble to show support for the Lionesses by our leaders isn’t just embarrassing, it reveals how little they think of women’s sport.
‘You can guarantee that there’s no way the men’s football team would be treated with such disregard and disrespect.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
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