Prince William's Surprise Royal Visit Will Have Princess Charlotte, 10, Completely Starstruck
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Prince William made an unannounced visit to the England women's soccer team, nicknamed the Lionesses, before they head off for the Euros 2025 tournament
During the visit, he spotlighted the booming grassroots movement, which has surged since the Lionesses' triumph at the last Euros
Back in 2022, William and Princess Charlotte shared a touching video message to cheer on the Lionesses at the Women's World Cup
Prince William is back in his element — rallying behind England's top soccer stars as they gear up for the Euros
On Monday, June 30, the Prince of Wales, 43, made a surprise visit to the England women's national team — known as the Lionesses — to personally present official squad jerseys to all 23 players ahead of the tournament.
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The prince — who serves as patron of the Football Association, the governing body of the sport in England — began his visit to the team's training base at St. George's Park in the English Midlands with a chat with England Head Coach Sarina Wiegman about the squad's preparation and strategy for success. He then spent time with several players and their families, hearing how they're gearing up for the tournament. The Lionesses kick off their Euro 2025 campaign against France on July 5.
DARREN STAPLES/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William meets the England 'Lionesses'
Prince William meets the England 'Lionesses'
Prince William's daughter, Princess Charlotte, is sure to be thrilled to hear all about his visit to the team. As a passionate soccer player herself, Charlotte, 10, has a special connection to the Lionesses. She previously appeared alongside her father in a heartfelt video message sent to the team during the 2022 Women's World Cup.
Three years ago, as the tournament kicked off in Australia, William surprised the Lionesses with a warm video greeting, joined by Charlotte, who held a soccer ball in her lap. 'We're so proud of everything you've achieved and the millions you've inspired here and around the world,' William said at the time. 'So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.'
On Monday, William also took part in a Made for This Game session with junior girls' teams, joining former Lionesses Rachel Brown-Finnis and Kerry Davis to cheer on the next generation of talent.
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The teams, made up of elementary and high school players, were created in the wake of the Lionesses' historic victory at the 2022 Euros — a milestone that sparked a nationwide surge in girls' participation in football. Since 2020, the Football Association reports a 56% increase in female youth players. The Made for This Game campaign was launched to build on that momentum and grow grassroots involvement across the country.
DARREN STAPLES/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William with the Lionesses
Prince William with the Lionesses
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During a 2022 visit with the team, William was gifted personalized jerseys for his three children — Prince George, 11, Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
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A devoted soccer fan, William has had an action-packed season cheering on his favorite club, Aston Villa — often with Prince George by his side. The Birmingham-based team enjoyed a standout year, making a strong run in the Champions League. William followed the action closely, traveling to Monaco with friends and to Paris with George to watch the team compete on the European stage.
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