Prince William has paid tribute to the “spirit” of the Lionesses after they were defeated 1-0 by Spain in the Women’s World Cup final
“Although it’s the result none of us wanted, Lionesses you have done yourselves and this nation proud,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Your spirit & drive have inspired so many people and paved the way for generations to come. Thank you for the footballing memories.”
“Congratulations to Spain,” he added.
William, the president of England’s Football Association, sent a message of support to the Lionesses ahead of Sunday’s final but has received plenty of criticism for his decision not to travel to Sydney, with many suggesting that he would have attended had it been the men’s team in the final.
“Really think inconceivable that [UK Prime Minister] Rishi Sunak AND Prince William (the FA President, no less) wouldn’t be at the World Cup Final if it was the men’s team playing,” former BBC journalist Jon Sopel wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Happy to accept might be impossible for the PM, given other commitments. But Prince William? Why?”
Mark Bullingham, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer of the FA, told the BBC earlier this week that they’ve “always known he wouldn’t be able to attend, sadly, because of his diary but he’s been a brilliant support of the team throughout.”
Meanwhile, King Charles III sent his “heartfelt thoughts and commiserations on the result of the World Cup final,” but paid tribute to the Lionesses’ “skill, determination and team spirit,” and for serving as “an inspiration for generations to come.”
