Prince William took to Twitter (technically ‘X’ now) on Saturday to post an apology video, influencer style. The prince sat in front of the camera with his 8-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte by his side to say that he was sorry for not being able to attend the Women’s World Cup final to watch and support England as they took on Spain this past Sunday. (Spoiler alert: Spain won!) This match was England’s first chance to take the crown in 57 years.
“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,” Prince William said in the video. “So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.”
“Good luck, Lionesses,” Princess Charlotte added, holding a soccer ball in her lap.
The last (and only) other time that England made it to the World Cup was in 1966 at Wembley Stadium in London, and Queen Elizabeth cheered on from the stands as the men’s team defeated West Germany 4-2.
With this being the first time England’s women’s team has made it to the finals, fans were extremely upset to find out that the royal family wouldn’t be in attendance, especially since Prince William has been the president of England’s Football Association for about 20 years.
A lot of fans are saying if England’s men’s team had made it to the World Cup, William probably would have made the trip Down Under, especially since the late Queen did the same back in the ’60s.
“Lovely message, but SOMEONE from the Royal family should be there! I’m sure it would be a different scenario if it was the men in the final. It’s the World Cup!! The Lionesses, in fact the whole of England, deserve better. And you are president of the FA! Dreadful decision,” one user commented on the prince’s vid.
BBC Sports Broadcaster Gabby Logan also expressed her disappointment, saying, “I just wonder, would neither of those people come to a men’s World Cup final, would Britain not be represented by at least one of those two figures at a men’s World Cup, and I can’t help thinking that they would be there.”
So far, the royal family has not explained why nobody went out to support the team in person, but if the fan fury continues, who knows if that will change.
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Bri is the editorial assistant at Seventeen covering pop culture, celebrity news, fashion, and beauty. You can probably find her sipping an oatmilk iced chai while searching for the best new makeup products or thrifting her entire wardrobe.