Prince William meets with Lionesses ahead of Euros as he takes cheeky swipe at the men's team
The Lionesses are hoping to replicate their 2022 victoryPrince William met with the England Women’s team ahead of the European Championships in Switzerland.
The Lionesses will be looking to defend their Euros crown after winning the competition back in 2022.
Prince William meets with the Lionesses
Ahead of their stint in Switzerland for the Euros, William visited St George’s Park to meet with the Lionesses.
During his meeting with the team, William wished them luck and took a cheeky swipe at the men’s side too.
William, who is a patron of the Football Association (FA), urged the team to keep forging kinship as it’s “one of your greatest assets”.
“The men’s team could definitely learn off your camaraderie and your team environment. You’re brilliant together; you create a very unique unit that is rare in lots of other sports. So hold onto that, treasure that, build on it, because it’s one of your greatest assets,” he said.
William’s message to the football players
The Prince of Wales continued.
“For the seven of you that are starting your first major tournament, the very best of luck. You all seem very relaxed and very together and with it, which is fantastic news. Go and enjoy yourselves,” he then said.
“I know there’s a huge expectation on you now from your successors, that is good and that’s also going to be in the back of your minds as you go out there,” he then continued, referring to their 2022 win.
“The fact that 10 years ago women’s football was barely seen in the light it is today, and those opportunities have changed because of what you’ve done. So don’t take it lightly, we’re all counting on you guys doing a fantastic job, and go and have fun,” he said.
Prince William’s visit to St George’s Park
Elsewhere in his visit to St George’s Park, the Prince of Wales joined primary and secondary schoolgirls on an indoor pitch to discuss their experiences with football.
He revealed during the chat that his own daughter, Princess Charlotte, 10, is slowly getting into football.
“Yes, she’s not quite as into the football as much as the boys [George and Louis] but getting there,” he revealed.
He also got the opportunity to print the name and number on a shirt as part of Aggie Beever-Jones’s kit.
Using a machine to stamp her surname and number on the kit, William joked: “I really hope it doesn’t come off in the match.”
Beever-Jones, 21, held up the kit and joked: “There’s a little crease, but I’ll let it slide.”
He also met players Maya Le Tissier and Michelle Agyemang, who will be playing in the tournament.
“It’s an exciting journey ahead…are you nervous? When you’re here, it doesn’t feel real, does it, but once you get to Switzerland,” he told them.
As he left, the prince was given three shirts as gifts for George, Charlotte, and Louis.
Read more: Prince William set for overseas visit to support Lionesses following backlash
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