@princeandprincessofwales<\/a> account\u2019s 15 million Instagram followers on Sunday afternoon. Joined by his 8-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, who was sitting on his knee and holding a football, he told the team, \u2018Lionesses, we want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow, we\u2019re sorry we can\u2019t be there in person but we\u2019re so proud of everything you\u2019ve achieved and the millions you\u2019ve inspired here and around the world. So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.\u2019<\/p>\nThe video didn\u2019t have the desired effect. In fact, as the hours went by it turned into something of a PR nightmare for William and Kate, who were criticised for not making the 9,443 mile journey to support the women\u2019s team. Franklin Leonard, The Black List Founder, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, \u2018It is absolutely wild that Prince William \u2013 the whole president of the English Football Association \u2013 is skipping a World Cup final where England is competing. Just unreal.\u2019<\/p>\n
There was further criticism for William\u2019s choice of wording, with some suggesting that telling the team to \u2018really enjoy themselves\u2019 felt in some ways patronising. One X user tweeted, \u2018Prince William telling the Lionesses to go out there and enjoy themselves is another way of saying: \u201cIt\u2019s only women\u2019s football. No one takes this seriously so just have fun kicking a ball about.\u201d This isn\u2019t exactly something you say to a professional team at the pinnacle of their career.\u2019<\/p>\n
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‘It wasn\u2019t just Prince William who faced backlash for his good luck message’<\/h2>\n
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The PR disaster continued, with others questioning why only Princess Charlotte has been present in the video, and not Princess Louis or Prince George. One social media user wrote, \u2018Wish he would have included his boys in this, because women\u2019s football is not just there to inspire girls or be watched by them.\u2019 Whilst another user commented, \u2018This is openly sexist. By just featuring his daughter he is perpetuating the idea that women\u2019s football is undesirable to men and boys.\u2019<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t just Prince William who faced backlash for his good luck message. It seemed as if the men in power just shouldn\u2019t hit the right note. When it came to supporting the Lionesses, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer both referred to themselves as fathers of daughters in their messages \u2013 something that was criticised for being reductive. Rishi wrote on social media, \u2018For my daughters, and for every girl in this country, you have made football something for them; you have made them feel they belong on the pitch. In a way, you\u2019ve already brought football home. All that remains is to bring the trophy home too.\u2019 For many women, we know we belong – it\u2019s often men who tell us we don\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile Keir wrote, \u2018The Lionesses have galvanised the whole nation through their historic achievement in becoming the first England team to make the World Cup final. But they’ve also inspired a generation of women and girls to play football, take up sport, and to remove any doubt in their minds that they too can go all the way in their chosen field.\u2019 Adding, \u2018There’s no doubt that they should be recognised by the honours system.’<\/p>\n
Some social media users also questioned why men were also making the success if the Lionesses just about women and girls and not about the whole country. The Lionesses are excelling and should be seen as role models for men and boys too.
The difference in commitment from leading figures of the two final countries was quite astonishing. Queen Letizia of Spain and her 16-year-old daughter were both in attendance to cheer on their team (although the King, was said to have prior commitments). Meanwhile not one of Britain\u2019s senior royals or government officials were present to cheer on our team.<\/p>\n
As the Women\u2019s World Cup final match began, former footballers, celebrities and politicians were publicly vocal about the lack of top-level representation \u2013 with many suggesting it was sexism at play.<\/p>\n
The former England goalkeeper Pauline Cope told Times Radio, \u2018I will not have any bad words against the royal family. However, this should have been pencilled in his [William\u2019s] diary from day dot, after we won the Euros and qualified for the World Cup.\u2019 Adding, \u2018Let\u2019s be honest, if it was the men\u2019s World Cup, they would all be here.\u2019<\/p>\n
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‘There are, however, suggestions that there was a hidden reason why the monarch was not in attendance’<\/h2>\n
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Broadcaster Jon Sopel said it was \u2018inconceivable\u2019 that William and Sunak would not travel if it was the men\u2019s team playing. He tweeted, \u2018Happy to accept might be impossible for the PM, given other commitments. But Prince William? Why?\u2019
Fans of the sport also pondered on the idea that if it was the England\u2019s men\u2019s team who advanced to the World Cup final, leading figures and royals would flock to attend the monumental moment. It was reported by The Guardian that Prince William almost attended the Men\u2019s World Cup. Although he had not initially planned to attend the tournament in October (which was controversially held in Qatar,) due to a busy winter schedule. However, before Southgate\u2019s team was defeated in the quarter-final, it was understood William\u2019s office was looking at making possible arrangements for him to attend if the men reached the final.<\/p>\n
There are, however, suggestions that there was a hidden reason why the monarch was not in attendance. Some media reports said William was \u2018concerned with his carbon footprint\u2019 due to the 19-hour flight from London to Sydney. As the founder of the Earthshot prize, an award that celebrates contributions to environmentalism and substantiality, and doubts towards his dedication may have arisen had he hopped on a long-haul flight.<\/p>\n
Others have pointed out that the trip could also lead to diplomatic complications and could break royal protocol as King Charles, Australia\u2019s Monarch, has not made a state visit just yet.<\/p>\n
New South Wales Parliament (NSW) have confirmed that a Royal tour is being planned in Australia, to coincide with celebrations for the country\u2019s 200th anniversary of the NSW Legislative Council. The celebration has reportedly been earmarked for October 2024 and should the tour be conducted by King Charles; it would be the first time a reigning King has ever set foot on Australian soil. <\/p>\n
The last few days may have been something of a PR disaster for Prince William, but it\u2019s undeniable that he has previously showed huge support for the team. He watched the Lionesses take home the European Championship last year, presenting them with their medals at Wembley, and visited them in person in June at the St George\u2019s Park training base to wish them good luck before they left for Australia.<\/p>\n
As with any backlash, it\u2019s likely this will fade into the obscurity of another scandal before long, But the underlying issue will remain: when will we see more dedication from the most powerful men in the country to showing their appreciation and support women in sport. The Lionesses deserved way better.<\/p>\n
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IMAGE: Getty<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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