logo
Princess Charlotte is the spitting image of mother Kate Middleton as she watches Lionesses' Euros victory

Princess Charlotte is the spitting image of mother Kate Middleton as she watches Lionesses' Euros victory

Daily Mail​6 days ago
Princess Charlotte was seen going through all the emotions as she watched the Lionesses' dramatic Euros final yesterday - and looked remarkably similar to her mother Kate as she did so.
The young football fan, 10, had accompanied her father Prince William in the stands in Basel, Switzerland, to watch the England team play against World Cup winners Spain.
While the team eventually roared to victory after 120 minutes of play and winning 3-1 in penalties to claim their second consecutive European title, the dramatic scenes were almost too much for the princess.
Charlotte was barely able to watch at some points and was seen with her hands covering her face as she conveyed her shock and excitement in what made for a very animated display.
And her enthusiasm was particularly reminiscent of her mother Kate, who was seen with an almost identical expression on her face as she attended Wimbledon tennis tournament in 2019.
Like her daughter, the Princess of Wales was also so invested in the match in front of her that she could barely watch - this time watching Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the men's single final.
Eagle eyed royal fans were quick to make comparisons, with one writing: 'She's her mother's daughter!'
A second added: 'Even if Princess Charlotte is her dad's mini-me, I can see Princess Catherine too.'
Charlotte was wearing a chiffon polka dot dress from Guess - which she also wore to attend Wimbledon last year.
The royal was also given a winners medal to keep after the presentation ceremony - which she was seen holding on to reverently.
After the final whistle, Charlotte has signed off her first official message from the Waleses, which was posted on social media, congratulating the Lionesses on their win.
The post on the Prince and Princess' of Wales X account read: 'What a game!
'Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team.
'Enjoy this moment England. W & Charlotte.'
It was Chloe Kelly again who scored the decisive goal after coolly slotting the crucial penalty into the back of the net, following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
The win came after an initial scare when Beth Mead slipped on the opening kick.
The atmosphere in William and Charlotte's spot in the stands was electric upon the final blow of the whistle.
In one picture, William and FA chair Debbie Hewitt were seen exchanging a double high-five over Charlotte standing between them, who looked on smiling.
The princess even had her mouth open in shock at one point in the game, astonished by the exciting events on the pitch.
The game was far from plain sailing, as the young royal's reactions showed - wincing along with her father at a particularly tricky moment.
Things had been looking touch and go when Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 up at the end of the first half.
William put his head in his heads while his daughter looked solemn when the Spanish player one-upped England, while Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia, representing Spain's royal family, celebrated.
Charlotte bit her lip nervously as she waited for the Lionesses to make a much-needed comeback.
At one point, Charlotte seemed to be having a concerned discussion with her father, seemingly worried about this early setback for the Lionesses.
At one point, Charlotte seemed to be having a concerned discussion with her father (pictured), seemingly worried about this early setback for the Lionesses
After the final whistle, Charlotte signed off her first official message from the Waleses, congratulating the Lionesses on their win (pictured)
Thankfully, Arsenal striker Alessia Russo managed to pull the game back to equalise the score.
She successfully diverted Chloe Kelly's cross into the back of the net in the 57th minute - sending supporters into raptures.
The princess seemed confident speaking to those around her, at one point leaning forward to chat to Princesses Leonor and Sofia, the daughters of Spain's Queen Letizia and King Felipe, who smiled back at her.
Other adorable pictures of William and Charlotte at the match showed their close father-daughter relationship.
They put their heads together to discuss the action in front of them at several points, with Charlotte seemingly just as engaged as her football fan father.
As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament.
William exchanged words with Agyemang, appearing to say: 'Well played, fantastic, well done.'
Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks.
She even did a double fist pump and shouted at one point, as her father clapped and cheered, with Ms Hewitt again loving her lively response (pictured)
The young princess seemed confident speaking to those around her, at one point leaning forward to chat to Crown Princess Leonor of Spain and her sister Princess Sofia of Spain (pictured), who smiled back at her
The Prince was given two winners medals to keep after the presentation - and starstruck Charlotte could not wait to get a proper look at them.
Before the match, the Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Football Association (FA), applauded the national anthem as he stood next to Charlotte in the stadium.
He was also joined by Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria.
An image of Charlotte and William was also posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account shortly before kick-off, captioned: 'Let's go, Lionesses.'
King Charles, along with his son, offered the team his most 'heartfelt congratulations' in the wake of their win.
His post on X read: 'This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the EUROS 2025.
'For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant "football's coming home".
'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true.
'For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration.
'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms.
'Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!'
In a show of support ahead of the final, the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed Three Lions on the Buckingham Palace forecourt.
The royal family's official X account also posted: 'Let's go girls! Wishing the very best of luck to the @Lionesses in the Women's Euro Final this evening.'
Downing Street also shared in the football fever as it decked outs its railing with bunting and displayed the flag of St George in its windows.
Number 10 said, ahead of the match: 'Good luck today, Lionesses. Let's bring it home.'
Sir Keir was then the first to congratulate England on their win after the game, posting on X: 'Champions! Congratulations Lionesses - what a team. What a game. What drama.
'You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers.'
Speaking after the match Chloe Kelly gushed that she was 'so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge' and 'so proud to be English'.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Starmer hints Lionesses will be honoured after Euro 2025 triumph
Starmer hints Lionesses will be honoured after Euro 2025 triumph

South Wales Argus

time27 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Starmer hints Lionesses will be honoured after Euro 2025 triumph

The Lionesses became back-to-back European champions after beating Spain in a penalty shoot-out in Basel last Sunday – the first senior England side to lift a major trophy overseas. The Prime Minister praised the players for inspiring a generation, including his own daughter, and for representing 'decency, fairness and respect'. England head coach Sarina Wiegman and the team attended a reception at No 10 after the win (Lucy North/PA) Among those tipped for recognition are Chloe Kelly, who scored the decisive penalty in the final, and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who saved two Spanish spot-kicks. Head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the win, could be made an honorary dame. The Cabinet Office oversees the honours process and recipients are not confirmed until they are officially announced, but sporting heroes have often been rewarded. After the Lionesses' 2022 win, captain Leah Williamson was made an OBE, while Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White received MBEs. Sir Keir said the Lionesses' success was about 'more than football', citing their resilience in coming from behind against Sweden, Italy and Spain, and their stand against racist abuse during the tournament. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, he said: 'When the Lionesses put that England shirt on, they stand for what we stand for together: England, in all its glory, with our shared history and values. 'The pride, resilience and unity that define this team define the very best of who we are.' He added: 'What Sarina and our Lionesses have achieved is nothing short of remarkable. So recognition is coming – and it will be worthy of their historic success.' The Government, he said, was committed to delivering a legacy of 'equal access to all sport for girls and boys' in schools – a key demand from the squad after their 2022 triumph. 'The Lionesses have made an entire nation proud,' he said. 'We're determined to deliver a legacy they can be proud of too.'

Pope Leo XIV gets rock star welcome from young Catholics at huge vigil
Pope Leo XIV gets rock star welcome from young Catholics at huge vigil

The Guardian

time28 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

Pope Leo XIV gets rock star welcome from young Catholics at huge vigil

Hundreds of thousands of young faithful feted Pope Leo XIV like a rock star on Saturday at an open-air prayer vigil outside Rome, after the head of the Catholic church made a dramatic entrance by helicopter. Pilgrims began crying and cheering when the white military helicopter descended over the sprawling site in Rome's eastern outskirts. Organisers said more than 800,000 young pilgrims from 146 countries around the world had assembled as part of a Jubilee of Youth – and perhaps as many as 1 million. Smiling from his popemobile, the first US pope waved to throngs of screaming young people lining his route, many running for a better vantage point. They had already spent the day in the hot sun listening to music, praying and talking with fellow Catholics. 'The pope is here' announced an excited voice over the public address to thunderous applause from the crowd. But the tenor of the event became more solemn and contemplative as the pope took to the stage, carrying a large wood cross. 'Dear young people, after walking, praying and sharing these days of grace of the Jubilee dedicated to you, we now gather together in the light of the advancing evening to keep vigil together,' Leo, 69, told them. In the crowd was French pilgrim Julie Mortier, 18, whose voice was hoarse from singing and screaming for hours. 'We're too happy to be here. Seeing the pope, that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' she said. Event organisers said people had continued to arrive during the vigil and that it was possible that attendance numbers had reached 1 million. Most pilgrims said they would camp overnight for a Sunday morning mass at the site led by Leo. That will mark the culmination of the week-long youth pilgrimage, a key event in the Catholic church's Jubilee holy year. Some in the crowd were so far away they could not see the massive stage with a golden arch and towering cross that dominated the open area – which at more than 500,000 sq m was the size of about 70 football fields. 'I'm so happy to be here, even if I'm a bit far from the pope. I knew what to expect,' British student Andy Hewellyn said. 'The main thing is that we're all together,' he said ahead of the pope's appearance, as other young people nearby played guitars, sang or snoozed in the sun. Italian broadcaster Rai called the event a Catholic 'Woodstock', as throughout the day nearly two dozen musical and dance groups, many of them religious, entertained the crowds. In a video message, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed pilgrims to the capital, who were 'praying, singing, joking among themselves, celebrating in an extraordinary party'. The Jubilee of Youth, which began on Monday, comes nearly three months after the start of Leo's papacy, and 25 years after the last such massive youth gathering in Rome under Poland's pope John Paul II. Early on Saturday, groups of young people set off from central Rome for the venue in Tor Vergata. They were ready to spend the next 24 hours surrounded by a crowd of people and sleep under the stars. Victoria Perez, who carried a Spanish flag, could not contain her excitement at seeing 'the pope up close'. 'It's the first time I'm going to see him, and I can't wait,' the 21-year-old said, looking forward to a 'night of prayers under the stars'. French pilgrim Quentin Remaury, 26, said he had been inspired by the late pope Francis's rousing message to youth during a 2016 visit to Krakow, Poland. 'Pope Francis told us to 'get off your couches', and that really gave me a boost,' he said. Throughout the week, attenders participated in church-planned events, such as confession at Circus Maximus, one of Rome's top tourist spots. On Friday, about 1,000 priests were on hand, with 200 white gazebos serving as makeshift confessionals lining the hippodrome where chariot races were once held in Ancient Rome. The pilgrimage unfolds as under-30s navigate economic uncertainty, the climate crisis and international conflict, with some pilgrims travelling from war-torn areas such as Syria and Ukraine. Samarei Semos, 29, who said she had travelled three days from her native Belize to get to Rome, said she hoped Leo would have a strong say about 'third world countries'. The Vatican said that before the vigil the pope had met and prayed with travellers accompanying an 18-year-old Egyptian pilgrim who died on Friday night. Rai News reported that the young woman had died of a heart attack on a bus while returning to her lodging from an event in Rome. Amid tight security, more than 4,300 volunteers and more than 1,000 police were watching over the vigil, organisers said.

Marseille break silence on Mason Greenwood's future amid talk of Saudi interest in former Man United striker
Marseille break silence on Mason Greenwood's future amid talk of Saudi interest in former Man United striker

Daily Mail​

time28 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Marseille break silence on Mason Greenwood's future amid talk of Saudi interest in former Man United striker

Olympique de Marseille have insisted Mason Greenwood is not for sale despite growing speculation linking the former Manchester United forward with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. Reports in French media this week suggested several Saudi Pro League clubs had expressed interest in signing the 23-year-old, who has hit the ground running in pre-season after scoring 21 goals in Ligue 1 last term. But Marseille's sporting director Mehdi Benatia has now addressed the rumours head-on, telling 365Scores Arabia: 'Greenwood will stay with us. He is not for sale.' Benatia added: 'We want to keep him and consider him a key part of OM's project for the upcoming season.' Benatia's comments pour cold water on claims that Marseille were considering cashing in on Greenwood, who joined the French side from United last summer for a fee of £27million, with a further £3.2m in potential add-ons. United reportedly inserted a 50 per cent sell-on clause into the agreement, meaning they would stand to make a significant profit should the striker be sold — but for now, such a windfall looks unlikely. French newspaper L'Equipe previously suggested that Marseille could demand a fee in the region of €50m (£44m) if they were to sell Greenwood. Yet Benatia's firm stance suggests that Marseille remain committed to keeping their No 10, who has become a talismanic figure under head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Greenwood has been in scintillating form during pre-season, scoring six goals in friendlies, including a smart header against Sevilla on Saturday and a hat-trick against Dutch side Excelsior Maassluis last month. De Zerbi has publicly praised the ex-England international in recent months, saying in April: 'Greenwood is a natural talent, thanks to his mother and father. 'I am here to help him become more complete. When he needs a hug or a few supportive words, I will gladly give it. 'When I need to be on him to give more, I will do it. That is my job. Above all, I want to help him be remembered, in this stadium and by these fans, as one of the best to ever play at the Stade Velodrome. 'There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood can be remembered like that. I'm trying to help him reach that level.' Greenwood has a new strike partner this summer in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who rejoined the club this week after spending last season with Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Pro League. Aubameyang has also spoken glowingly about Greenwood. 'He's the starboy! He's very strong, very good,' Aubameyang said of his new team-mate during his unveiling. 'In Saudi Arabia, I had a team-mate who had played with him in Spain and told me he was a phenomenon. I'm happy he's with us.' Greenwood scored 22 goals in all competitions last season, helping Marseille to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 and a return to the Champions League. That came after he bagged 10 times in 36 appearances for Getafe during a loan spell in the 2023-24 campaign. Prior to that Greenwood had not played a game of professional football since January 2022 — a month in which he was arrested on suspicion of raping and assaulting a woman. Greenwood was subsequently charged with a number of offences which were later all dropped.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store