William, Prince of Wales, defends support for England footballers / Photo: Geoff Caddick - POOL/AFP
-
RBI Data Reveals Divergence in Credit Card Spending and Debit Card Cash Withdrawals
-
First-time boat buyers advised to assess full ownership costs
-
Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium
-
Planning and preparation can reduce stress of interstate relocation
-
Sweet As app launches restaurant discovery platform
-
Two more arrested in Carrie Mullane suspected murder investigation
-
Phoenix Restaurants Offer Thanksgiving Dinner to Go for Pickup
-
MLA seeks inquiry into reported sectarian gestures on Ormeau Road
-
Mayo school appeals for information after convent and chapel vandalism
-
Louise O’Reilly attacks Simon Harris over unemployment remarks
-
Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring
-
Canadian soldier Aidan Goulding remembered at Vancouver funeral
-
Second major storm brings destructive winds and outages to British Columbia
-
Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka
-
Godzilla Minus Zero leads North American box office with $31.6m
-
Robert Trujillo discusses literacy and social justice children’s books
-
Advocate calls for coordinated support for children facing trafficking
-
Civil rights advocate William Bill Tucker dies aged 98
-
Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7: Review Your Coverage Options
-
Pennsylvania Democrats secure state trifecta in midterm elections
-
US Treasury order targets bank transfers linked to crypto exchange MEXC
-
Godzilla Minus Zero sets foreign-language box-office opening record
-
Nvidia CEO Controversy Sparks Fears of Tighter U.S. AI Chip Curbs for Samsung and SK hynix
-
Eagles record six sacks as rushing attack struggles against Giants
-
Villeneuve teases James Bond casting at Los Angeles museum gala
-
Thames Water seeks to delay £12bn in debt repayments
-
Nottinghamshire launches specialist rural crime policing team
-
Newark boxing gym expands alternative education programme
-
China confirms talks over possible Xi-Putin-Trump summit
-
Democrats consider impeachment drive against Defence Secretary Hegseth
-
Rail journey offers a slower route to a Berlin city break
-
Energy bill plan could use HMRC income data to target support
-
Arsenal control title race as Manchester United fall into bottom three
-
Business owner earning £6,000 a month tackles £70,000 debt
-
Suspected Krakow gunman dies after attack that killed six
-
Nvidia chief faces inquiry after disclosing affair with suspected Chinese agent
-
Carrick backs Dalot after hostile reception from Manchester United fans
-
Comet returns as online electrical marketplace 14 years after collapse
-
Aston Villa Defy History With Rare Victory at Old Trafford
-
Brussels Education Unions Schedule Major November Protest Over Funding and Reforms
-
Crowds Gather at San Francisco Park for Elizabeth Holmes Lookalike Tournament
William, Prince of Wales, defends support for England footballers
Prince William, who has the royal title Prince of Wales, on Wednesday defended his support for England's football team while meeting lawmakers in the Welsh parliament.
Visiting the assembly building in Cardiff, the 40-year-old heir to the throne promised lawmakers he would be cheering for both Wales and England in the World Cup in Qatar.
Wales is playing at the tournament for the first time in 64 years.
"I'm telling everyone I'm supporting both, definitely. I can't lose," said William, an avowed fan of mid-table Premier League side Aston Villa.
But he admitted: "I've supported England since I've been quite small".
It would not "look right" if he changed his allegiances now, he said.
There was better news for royal backing for Wales, however, as William admitted: "I happily support Wales over England in the rugby."
The sports-mad prince regularly attends England football games and watched the women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley this summer with his wife Kate and eldest son George.
He is also president of the FA, the governing body for English football.
William's open support for England's football has irked some proud Welsh people.
Actor Michael Sheen tweeted Tuesday: "He can, of course, support whoever he likes and as Pres of FA his role makes visit understandable -- but surely he sees holding the title Prince of Wales at same time is entirely inappropriate?"
On Tuesday William visited England's footballers at their training camp and handed captain Harry Kane and other players their official shirts for the World Cup.
"I'm here really just to point out the rest of the country is behind you," William told the team.
William took over the title of Prince of Wales from his father King Charles III on his ascension to the throne.
Charles's investiture as Prince of Wales took place at Caernarfon Castle in northwest Wales in 1969, although he was awarded the title by his mother, queen Elizabeth II, in 1958.
But the title is controversial, particularly among Welsh nationalists.
Some 38,000 people have signed a petition on change.org calling the title "an insult to Wales" and "a symbol of historical oppression".
It points out that the last native prince of Wales was killed by English soldiers in the 13th century and only English princes have held the role since.
"The title implies that Wales is still a principality undermining Wales' status as a nation and a country".
A.Rodriguezv--AMWN