Prince William will be joined by two key royals as he supports Lionesses on major trip
Prince William is set to be joined by two other key royals when he watches the Lionesses take on Spain in the Women's Euros final on Sunday, it has been revealed.
England's Lionesses soared into final as Chloe Kelly scored in the 119th minute as their nail-biting match against Italy went into extra time during Tuesday's semi-final. William, patron of the Football Association, announced he would be travelling to Basel for the finale earlier this week, sharing that he is excited to cheer on the Lionesses in their bid for glory. And now it has been revealed, that the Spanish team will also have some royal support, with Spanish heir to the throne Princess Leonor is also planning to be at the match.
The Spanish royal household has confirmed to local media that Leonor will be joined by her younger sister, Infanta Sofia, 18, in a rare joint appearance for their daughters of Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain - making a royal reunion likely. Sofia joined her mum Letizia in Australia in 2023 when the Spanish team won the World Cup, beating England in the final
Earlier in the current tournament, William, who is an avid football fan, travelled to Switzerland to watch the England women's team in their group match against the Netherlands, which they won 4-0. Before the team headed off for the championships, he visited the team at their St George's Park training ground, where he told them: "The men's team could definitely learn off your camaraderie and your team environment.
'You're brilliant together, you create a very unique unit that is rare in lots of other sports. So hold onto that, treasure that, build on it, because it's one of your greatest assets."
William previously presented the England women's team with the trophy when they won the 2022 Women's Euros after beating Germany at Wembley.
However, he came in for heavy criticism when in 2023, he did not travel to Australia to support the team when they reached the World Cup final against Spain the following year, which they ultimately lost.
William's announcement that he will journey to Switzerland for the final match comes after King Charles also issued a statement to send his congratulations to the Lionesses after reaching the final.
In a statement posted on social media, the King said: 'My wife and I join all our family in wishing you, the proud Lionesses, our warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the Uefa Euro tournament.
'Your journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing the skill, determination (and test of nerve!) for which your team is so rightly celebrated. Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday.
'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more. Charles R."
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