Those who believe the Lionesses deserved top-tier support have questioned the decision not to fly to Australia.
The Prince of Wales may have cheered on the Lionesses from afar, but he has faced criticism at home for refusing to board a plane to support the England squad in person.
Despite being president of the Football Association, William was not present at Stadium Australia. It is believed that he chose not to attend due to the long journey involved for such a short period of time.
Environmentalists may appreciate such a gesture, but they would have questioned the prince’s environmental credentials if he had taken a long-haul flight. He is the creator of the Earthshot award.
Others, however, have been loud in their criticism that no senior royals or the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, were present for England’s first World Cup final since 1966, saying that such a national milestone should have top-level participation.
Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter planned to attend to emphasize their country’s dedication to national football, despite King Felipe’s other commitments.
Former England goalkeeper Pauline Cope called the absence of royals, the Prime Minister, and even England’s men’s team manager, Gareth Southgate, a “shame.”
“I will not say anything negative about the royal family.” “However, after we won the Euros and qualified for the World Cup, this should have been penciled in his [William’s] diary from day one,” Cope, who has 60 England caps and played in the 1995 World Cup, told Times Radio.
“Let’s be honest, if it was the men’s World Cup, they would all be here.”
Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality party, told MailOnline that it was “utterly ridiculous” that England “wasn’t and still isn’t ready to celebrate the women’s World Cup final.”
According to broadcaster Jon Sopel, it is “inconceivable” that William and Sunak would not travel if the men’s team was playing. “Happy to accept might be impossible for the PM, given other commitments,” he tweeted. But what about Prince William? Why?”
“With respect, YRH (Your Royal Highness), you should have gotten on a plane,” TV host Piers Morgan tweeted. It’s absurd that the Queen of Spain would attend the World Cup final to support her country’s team, yet you, as FA president, will not.”
The Lionesses were inspired to “roar to victory” by King Charles, who is thought to be watching from Birkhall in Aberdeenshire, where he and the Queen are on vacation.
In a video message uploaded on social media on Saturday, William apologized to the Lionesses for his absence. “Lionesses, we 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’ve achieved and the millions you’ve inspired here and around the world,” he added, flanked by his daughter, Princess Charlotte, who was cradling a football.
“So go out there tomorrow and have a great time.”
Due to a hectic winter schedule, he did not plan to attend the men’s World Cup, which was controversially held in Qatar, in October. But, before Southgate’s team was knocked out in the quarter-finals, it was reported that William’s administration was looking into making plans for him to attend if the men made it to the final. William is currently on his regular summer vacation.
He was present at Wembley Stadium to give the Lionesses with their medals after they won the European Championship last year, and he paid them a personal visit in June at their St George’s Park training facility to wish them luck before they went for Australia.
Because Charles has yet to visit Australia since his ascension, doubts have been raised regarding the diplomatic ramifications of William visiting the country before his father has had an opportunity as the new monarch. The topic of whether Australia would have been accountable for William’s security costs throughout his stay has also been questioned.
The late Queen Elizabeth II attended the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium and delivered the trophy to England captain Bobby Moore.