Prince William - Royal apparently missing from the European Championship semi-final
The English football national team reportedly has to do without royal support on site in the EURO 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands. According to the magazine "Hello!", Prince William (42) will not be present at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion on the evening of July 10th. The passionate football fan and President of the English Football Association FA is said to have other commitments.
In the quarter-final in Düsseldorf on July 5th, the British heir to the throne had cheered on the "Three Lions" from the stands as they secured their place in the semi-finals with a 5:3 penalty shootout after a 1:1 draw against Switzerland. The Royal was also present in person for England's group game against Denmark, alongside King Frederik X. of Denmark (56).
Should England win tonight against the Netherlands, the team would face Spain in the EURO 2024 final in Berlin on July 14th. Spain dominated the French team in the Tuesday evening semi-final with a 2:1 score.
Good Wishes from the Royal Family
The team of national coach Gareth Southgate (53) does not have to do without royal support, however. The Royal Family shared good wishes for the team in video form on their social media channels in the morning of July 11th. "We wish England good luck for tonight's game", it says.
In the video, the royal military band is seen performing the famous English football hit "Three Lions" in front of Buckingham Palace in London. This song was originally released by the band The Lightning Seeds in connection with the EURO 1996 football championship in England and has been revived with adapted lyrics for almost every tournament since then. The line "Football's Coming Home" has long since become a slogan for English football fans.
- Despite Prince William's absence in Dortmund's Westfalenstadion for the EURO 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, the English football team still receives support from the Royal Family, as shown in their good wishes shared on social media.
- Prince William was previously in attendance at Düsseldorf's stadium in the quarter-final match between England and Switzerland, cheering for his team as they advanced to the semi-finals.
- In the past, Prince William has also been seen supporting England during group stage matches, such as the one against Denmark, where he was present alongside King Frederik X. of Denmark.
- The Netherlands, who will face England in the semi-finals, will likely be happy to avoid the royal presence, given that the English football team has historically found success whenever "Football's Coming Home" is heard, a famous English football anthem performed by the royal military band.
