Saturday, October 12, 2024

Prince William meets England stars at St George’s Park before Euro 2024 flight

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Prince William is also President of the Football Association and met with Gareth Southgate’s England squad before the 26-man group flew to Germany ahead of their Euro 2024 campaign

Prince William and England boss Gareth Southgate at St George’s Park(Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

Prince William met with England’s squad ahead of their journey to Germany to find success at Euro 2024.

The royal joined Gareth Southgate and co at St George’s Park on Monday with the Three Lions set to travel to their training base outside of Erfurt. England’s bid to win the tournament for the first time begins in less than a week against Serbia, as they look to go one step further after shootout heartbreak against Italy three years ago.




The squad’s preparations thus far have seen a 33-man preliminary squad cut down to 26 for the tournament and two friendly matches. A win over Bosnia and Herzegovina was followed by a disappointing defeat to Iceland but training can get underway in earnest with the group now complete following Jude Bellingham’s arrival before flying to Germany.

The Prince of Wales holds the role of President of the Football Association and has met England’s representatives for the tournament once again, after doing the same before the World Cup. On that occasion, William presented squad members with shirts and posed for a photograph with each.

William spoke to players and provided some advice from his children. “Guys, I was thinking on the way here, what could I say that could help?” he said.

“I was on the school run with the children and I said, ‘what should I say to the England team?’. The best bit of advice I got was to eat twice the amount you would normally eat. I then had visions of you all running around with massive tummies and stitches on the pitch. Maybe take my youngest’s advice with a pinch of salt.

Prince William with England skipper Harry Kane(Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)

“Tournament football is a big deal. All of you have had fantastic seasons, I’ve seen every single one of you play this season, you’ve done extremely well. Club football is now here, tournament football over here. As some of you know, tournament football is brutal and it requires a lot more than you’ve already give. You’ve had a long season and I’m going to ask you to go again.

“It’s going to be difficult, going to be fun, going to be challenging. It’s going to be everything you ever dreamed of wearing an England shirt. All of the experience you’ve had in club football, you’re going to need them in the back of your head to draw from.

Buy England’s Euro 2024 kit

The Three Lions are among the favourites to win this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament and you can get your hands on the brand new Nike home and away kits before the first whistle.

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