Prince William embarks on major overseas trip to watch UEFA Women's Euro match
Football fan William will watch the Lionesses play overseas
Prince William is set to head abroad this week to watch England play in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
The prince will be making the journey to Zurich, Switzerland, to see England play against the Netherlands tomorrow afternoon (July 9). William is patron of the Football Association.
However, the royal isn’t expected to be accompanied by Kate Middleton. It’s not known whether or not he’ll be taking any of their children along with him.
Prince William met the team last month
His attendance comes just a couple of weeks after he visited the Lionesses at St. George’s Park, the FA’s national football centre, to wish them good luck. While there, he also helped to print names and numbers on the shirts they will be wearing.
William wished them luck and urged them to keep their sense of camaraderie. He even made a swipe at the men’s team, who he said could “definitely learn off” them.
He added, referring to their 2022 win in the same competition: “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.”
“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 added.
Also in his visit, he met primary and secondary schoolgirls and spoke to them about Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and their own interest in football.
He said of Charlotte, “She’s not quite as into the football as much as the boys but getting there.”
Prince William missed the last Women’s Euro final
William is well known for his love of football, though he was criticised by some in 2023 for not being present to watch England play in the World Cup final – admittedly, in Australia.
He did apologise in an Instagram message to the Lionesses, however.
Sitting next to Charlotte, he 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 have inspired here and around the world. So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.”
Charlotte added: “Good luck, Lionesses.”
Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the final to help England win the World Cup in 1966, said about the 2023 final: “I think if the royals attend the men’s game, they should definitely [have been there]. It’s an English team, a World Cup tournament, a member of the royal family should definitely have gone. No argument at all about that.”
William did attend the final of the Euros in 2022 and watched the men’s team in the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals.
One of Aston Villa’s most famous supporters, he regularly attends their games too. He even took George with him when they played Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last season.
What do you think of this story, and will you be tuning in to the game? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page.
