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<\/p>\nPRINCE William is facing a huge backlash over his decision not to attend the Lionesses World Cup final match against Spain.<\/p>\n
The Prince of Wales, 41, who is President of the FA, made the decision not to fly to Australia for the historic game to support England\u2019s women\u2019s team at the Stadium Australia.<\/p>\n
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The heir to the throne apologised in advance for not attending in person in a video message that was released on Saturday.<\/p>\n
William was seen with his daughter Princess Charlotte who was sat next to her dad, holding a football in her lap.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cLionesses, we want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are sorry we cannot be there in person but we are so proud of everything you have achieved and the millions you\u2019ve inspired here and around the world.<\/p>\n
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\u201cSo go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
The prince\u2019s no-show sparked a large amount of speculation as to why William didn\u2019t hop on a flight to support the team with many calling it a \u201cshame\u201d.<\/p>\n
Some reports have indicated that King Charles, who is Australia\u2019s head of state, has not yet visited the country, after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.<\/p>\n
That would mean William, who is currently on his summer holiday, cannot constitutionally visit before him.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Other reports though say he made the decision not to travel due to environmental concerns.<\/p>\n The journey would mean flying to the other side of the world for just a short period of time.<\/p>\n Former England goalkeeper Pauline Cope called the decision a \u201cshame\u201d, adding: \u201cI will not have any bad words against the royal family.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever this should have been pencilled in his diary from day dot, after we won the Euros and qualified for the World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n She also said she was disappointed that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Gareth Southgate, the coach of the England men\u2019s team, had not travelled to Sydney for the final.<\/p>\n Cope, who played in the 1995 World Cup and has 60 England caps, told Times Radio: \u201cLet\u2019s be honest, if it was the men\u2019s World Cup, they would all be here.\u201d<\/p>\n Sun columnist and TV presenter Piers Morgan also hit out at the royal, saying: \u201cWith respect, YRH (Your Royal Highness), you should have got on a plane.<\/p>\n \u201cRidiculous that the Queen of Spain is attending the World Cup Final to support her nation\u2019s team, and you won\u2019t be there despite being President of the FA.\u201d<\/p>\n Veteran broadcaster Jon Sopel thought it was \u201cinconceivable\u201d that William and Sunak would not travel if it had been the men\u2019s team playing.<\/p>\n He said in a message on X, formerly Twitter: \u201cHappy to accept might be impossible for the PM, given other commitments. But Prince William? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n However, FA chief Mark Bullingham said earlier this week: \u201cWe\u2019ve always known he wouldn\u2019t be able to attend, sadly, due to his diary.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been a brilliant supporter of the team throughout. He came to see the team before we left and he\u2019s been sending messages of support throughout.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite a valiant effort from the England team, they lost 1-0 to Spain.<\/p>\n William took to social media to praise the England players.<\/p>\n He wrote: "Although it\u2019s the result none of us wanted, @Lionesses you have done yourselves and this nation proud.<\/p>\n "Your spirit & drive have inspired so many people and paved the way for generations to come.<\/p>\n "Thank you for the footballing memories.<\/p>\n "Congratulations to Spain. W."<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/RTRMADP_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ESP-ENG-REPORT_677225903_UP1EJ8K0VW7VZ_2023-08-20T112857Zjpg-JS839110431-1.jpg\")
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