Prince William is the king of laziness. William has been President of the Football Association for years, and he’s used that position to A) hang out with athletes, B) go to football games and count it as work and C) pretend to care about racism and mental health, but only in the narrow scope of football (and even then, not so much). William happens to be FA President during a period where everything has come together perfectly for England’s women’s national team, the Lionesses.
The Lionesses have been playing so well in recent years, winning the Women’s Euros last year and making it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup final this week. William was watching the semifinal from an undisclosed location in England, and he tweeted out his congratulations to the Lionesses on Wednesday. Immediately, there was speculation about whether he would fly last-minute to Sydney to watch the final. Kensington Palace aides sniffed to multiple outlets that of course he would NOT cut off his months-long vacation to do a few days of work. Don’t give me any bullsh-t about Earthshot – there are plenty of commercial flights to Australia and there’s literally nothing on his schedule. It’s HIS JOB to promote English football and the Lionesses are doing this amazing thing and their royal patron can’t be bothered to show up. Well, people are noticing Peg’s laziness yet again, especially because Spain’s Queen Letizia taking time out from her much busier schedule to fly down to support the Spanish team.
Prince William and Rishi Sunak’s decision not to travel to support England at the women’s World Cup final sparked anger today – as Spain’s Queen Letizia announced her attendance in Australia. Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, would not be making the trip Down Under, but instead will be roaring on the Lionesses from home. The Prince of Wales, a huge champion of the fight against climate change, is believed to be concerned by the impact of flying across the world for a very short period of time. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will also not be in attendance for the weekend’s showpiece event in Sydney, Downing Street sources suggested.
However, their absence sparked fury from some commentators, who felt they should have committed to the visit.
Royal expert Phil Dampier tweeted: ‘If #PrinceWilliam as President of the FA isn’t going to the Women’s World Cup final we should be told why not. It’s a long way and Australia hasn’t had a visit by him or #TheKing since Charles came to the throne. That’s the problem. If the final was in Europe he’d be there!’
Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, added: ‘No chance that Prince William would be ‘missing in action’ if the England Men’s Football Team made it to the World Cup Final.’ Another football fan wrote: ‘FA president Prince William, who’s on his summer break, will not attend the women’s World Cup final. I would have thought it was the kind of thing FA presidents did.’
A fourth added: ‘It speaks volumes that the PM and royal family can’t be bothered to attend England Women’s World Cup final even in a Commonwealth country.’
However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has confirmed that Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofia, will be jetting to Australia for the match. The pair will sit in the presidential box at the Accor Stadium, but won’t be joined by King Felipe, who is busy with other official duties.
“The Prince of Wales, a huge champion of the fight against climate change, is believed to be concerned by the impact of flying across the world for a very short period of time.” He does not have similar qualms about using a private, dedicated helicopter everywhere instead of a car or train. He doesn’t have similar qualms about flying all the way to Boston – and forcing a dozen celebrities to do the same – while refusing to invite the actual Earthshot Prize winners. It seems William’s environmental qualms are pretty f–king selective. Queen Letizia is doing the right thing here, just as King Felipe did the right thing by going to Wimbledon for Carlos Alcaraz’s final last month. Also: you know it’s bad when the Mail is publishing tweets critical of William. Meanwhile, the Telegraph is taking William down a few pegs (ha).
Spain’s Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said the Queen would fly out to watch the match in the Accor Stadium “to show, once again, the royal household’s support for national football”. Their presence in the stands will only serve to highlight the lack of British royalty.
Gerry Sutcliffe, a former minister for sport, who championed the women’s game, said: “I think the Prince of Wales should be there.
“I know it’s a long way and I’m sure he has family commitments but this is a unique moment, it’s the World Cup final and he’s the president of the FA.” Mr Sutcliffe, a former Labour MP who served under Gordon Brown, said the final would be a moment that “brings the nation together”, adding that if there was a legitimate reason why the Prince could not go then the King should attend in his place. The Prince’s decision was based on the fact that it is an incredibly long flight for such a relatively short period of time, sources suggested.
Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the FA, said it was known the Prince would not be able to attend because of logistical constraints.
“We always knew that he couldn’t,” said Mr Bullingham. “He came to see the team and wished them well before they left. He sent various messages of support and he was really upfront that, even if we made the final, he unfortunately couldn’t make it. It just sadly wasn’t to be. I know he’s committed to the Lionesses, as he is to the England men as well. He came to see them before they flew and was explicit in the fact he couldn’t fly.”
However, Leah Williamson, England’s long-term captain, who has missed this tournament through injury, will attend the match. The Arsenal defender, who underwent knee surgery in April, also attended the Lionesses’ quarter-final victory over Colombia. Mr Bullingham also confirmed that James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, and Lucy Frazer, the Culture Secretary, would both attend the final to represent the UK Government.
William clinging to the environmental impact of, you know, doing his job and showing up for the national team is a big choice. Perhaps that should have been his excuse this whole time – he couldn’t work or do events because of the environmental impact, you guys. This might even be the start of some larger criticism of William, especially if it turns out that he flew off to some far-flung vacation spot this summer. The Mail might even publish some stories about William’s daily helicopter rides.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- The Duke of Cambridge sits in the cockpit of his helicopter as he begins his new job with the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) at Cambridge Airport. The former RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot will work as a co-pilot transporting patients to hospital from emergencies ranging from road accidents to heart attacks.,Image: 511524046, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- HRH Prince William boards the Royal Flight Helicopter at Gloucestershire Airport, whilst his Aide carries a bag containing a copy of the board game Monopoly “Alan Turing edition”,Image: 519625059, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Florida: +1 239 689 1883 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
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- ST MARTINS, ST MARTINS – SEPTEMBER 02: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge wave as they head back to the Royal helicopter after visiting the Island of St Martin’s in the Scilly Isles on September 2, 2016 in St Martins, England. The Duke and Duches’s visit to the Scilly Isles was delayed this morning due to bad weather.,Image: 533182898, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visit Caernarfon coastguard search and rescue helicopter base in Caernarfon, Wales, Britain May 8, 2019.,Image: 535898940, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR SEVEN DAYS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: – / Avalon
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- Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge visits The Spartans FC and Community Association in Edinburgh to see the positive impact of the Heads Up ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ declaration in Scotland. May 21 2021,Image: 611999606, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS /rota / Avalon
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- Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge visits The Spartans FC and Community Association in Edinburgh to see the positive impact of the Heads Up ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ declaration in Scotland. May 21 2021,Image: 611999763, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon sales@Avalon.red London +44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles +1 310 822 0419 Berlin +49 30 76 212 251 Madrid +34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Katielee Arrowsmith / SWNS /rota / Avalon
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- Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (C) poses with the England’s football jersey bearing the names of his three children and with the England’s women football team players during a visit at their training centre at St George’s Park, in Burton-upon-Trent on June 15, 2022.,Image: 699997441, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: PAUL ELLIS / Avalon
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- Beth Mead (7 England) top goalscorer at EURO 2022 after England women 2-1 the UEFA Euro 2022 Final women’s football match between England v Germany at Wembley Stadium in London, England.,Image: 711049189, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Richard Callis/SPP/Panoramic / Panoramic / Avalon
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- Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales take part in training activities during a visit to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team on their 2 day visit to Wales on April 27, 2023 in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting the country to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Central Beacons Mountain Rescue and to meet members of local communitie,Image: 772384962, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon
I wonder where William actually is 🤔. Any chance the tabloids will find out and let us know?
He’s on hols. He has no fucks to give.
the Telegraph headline basically says that – “Prince of Wales on pressure to interrupt holiday…..”
They’re letting everyone know he is just refusing to stop his vacation.
In Scotland without his wife shooting grouse is my guess. I’ve seen this inferred from the fact that the season always starts 12 August.
This is blowing up into a *MAJOR* kerfuffle in the UK – both he & Sunak are being properly dragged for not attending. A couple of the tabloids are leading on it now & usually friendly commentators are pointing out the fact (& it is a FACT) that they’d both be going if the men ever made a final.
I’ve been supporting Spain all along (patriotism being the last refuge of a scoundrel & all that!) although the background re their coach makes it hard to be 100% pro the team. Really pleased that Letizia is attending. Wondering if a U-turn is coming by either of these pillocks?
I don’t really care who wins (decades of supporting the England cricket team have made me pretty phlegmatic about sport) but really hope it’s a great game – finals often aren’t.
I am so here for the dragging both are getting – they are so showing their sexism and both have previous for showing pref to male teams. Am not a footie fan but this is a BFD when it comes to the womens game – the Lionesses FAR outstrip the mens team who get paid better and have so much more support and opportunities.
Girls do it better!!!!
@ As they should be!! Oh, PoW was certain to offer his support as the women left Britain to compete??? FFS, HE’s the MF President!!! And if Queen Letizia, whose work is paramount and 100 times busier than Wanks, HE can take his lazy ass down under as we ALL know he doesn’t care one iota for the environment given his constant use his helicopter.
I am SO delighted that they are BOTH being called out on their refusal to attend and are exposing themselves as the sexist, lazy and entitled asses to that they actually are!!
The discrepancy of pay and partnerships are paramount!!! Why are European Women’s sport athlete organizations not forcing the same pay as the men?? I know that it took SIX long years for the US Women’s league but come on!!!
Both Wails and Sunak have treated the L ionesses with disdain and complete indifference. They are vile pieces of garbage, refusing to do the jobs they are paid to do. So it’s a long trip to Australia. So watt? You are in first class., go to sleep, and when you wake up, you are here. Three or four hours work and then you can hop on your plane and go home again. As far as the climate change excuse is concerned, let’s see how many flights he takes to his precious holidays, or other to our jobs in other parts of the world. These two knobs make me sick. Drag them until there’s nothing left to drag.
I honestly don’t understand why William just wouldn’t request his wife, Kate go instead of him. Kate could take Charlotte and it would be a big women’s type of moment. It would be a win for them both (Will & Kate) or he should have someone from the royal family go in his place. Not sending anyone is kind of a big phat F U to the women’s soccer team though. Not cool. Especially since he is the president of their soccer league. Get it together, William or hand over that responsibility to someone who loves womens’ sports.
You would have to talk to your spouse to ask her to go.
I’m guessing Sunak was cajoled into not going…so William didn’t look so bad.
Sunak just got back from a 2 week vacation in California. It still would be a good look for him to go to Australia and support the women’s finals. The right isn’t big on supporting women though. William not going is huge.
I’m going for Spain. Pretty impressive Queen Letizia is flying out. I don’t know anyone who is supporting England?
All of the Brits I know are supporting the Lionesses. It would be a d*ck move to punish the team by withdrawing support at one of the most exciting times of their lives, just because Rishi & William are jerks.
As I posted above, I’m entirely ambivalent about who wins, I just want it to be a really good game.
I loathe English sporting teams from close personal experience.. I’m not English, why is my choice a dick move? Go Spain..I always want England to lose.
English people really don’t get how much everyone loathes them 🙄 all I heard from Japanese people was England cheated. I don’t know, but my experience of English sports people is they’re racist a##holes. I’ve personally not seen cheating. . I only heard what Japanese people thought.
Maybe google “Spanish football” & “racism” then. English football is a complete embarrassment & don’t you worry we know exactly how much “everyone” hates us (thanks, btw). However Spanish & Italian football make ours look pretty woke by comparison.
I am rooting for the Spanish team because of what they have been through with their coach and I studied abroad in Spain. But I don’t “hate” the Lionesses. I’m hoping for a good game, and yes, I’m having all the boys in the house watch it (which they will, they love the women’s world cup.)
I’m Scottish and even I’m supporting the lionesses. It must be exhausting to be so bitter about every single sportsperson who represents England.
I hope the Lionesses win, then he’ll look even more stupid for not attending.
Geez I would LOVE to be flown for free to Australia and watch a World Cup final 🙄
He’s going to NY next month for two days. The environment excuse doesn’t wash with me. As I said yesterday he should have gone for the SF and stayed for the third place payoff/final depending on the SF result.
Where in the world is Prince William? That’s the real question. It’s not the environment. He doesn’t want to go bc it’s his vacation. He’s been on vacation for over a month now right? Is he even in England? No one would be asking these questions though if he just went to the game.
he hasn’t done a public event in over a month. And when you look at the CC, Kate’s events for July were all “fun” – two tennis matches, the royal air tattoo event with the children, and the polo game where William blanked her, lol. That was what she did for July and called “work.” Oh and the Scottish coronation. William has like maybe 2 or 3 events more than that, one includes hosting a dinner at Windsor Castle and one includes an event where he was represented by someone else. So he didn’t even attend, but it counts as a work event for him.
Nothing after the Wimbledon final for either of them. They really are just on vacation and aren’t even bothering to hide it.
He’s on hols with the side piece am sure – he certainly ain’t with his wife and kids.
This is the correct answer.
Right. Kat had Anmer for the holidays with the kids (hence the pity invite to that “rave”). William is somewhere else holidaying.
Ding, ding, ding! If only there were virtual prizes for correct answers. Wherever he is, it must be a darned good hiding place with no chance of anyone getting a picture of him. He better count himself lucky he doesn’t live in the states because our paps our next level good in smoking out famous people in hiding. If there were a black ops for paparazzi, america would have it on lock.
What are you talking about? The entirety of the British media knows where he is, and who he is with. They just aren’t talking. This is more of the same, they did this for Chuck, now they bow down to Willnot’s affairs.
@Christine, Agreed. The British media know a lot more than whatever they’re sharing. I think they’re holding such information over Will’s head. The man’s their puppet.
Ironically enough, the media have colluded to extoll Bullyiam’s non-existing sense of duty and service. The media conspiracy to defraud the public from the truth is ludicrous:
– The Spectator, May 8, 2023 reads as follows “Prince Harry has so much to learn from Prince William”. “like his grandmother, he [William] fully believes in the necessity of duty and service if the monarchy is to survive” 🤨
– Magster, June21, 2022: “William’s sense of duty, humanity and compassion will preserve the Crown” 🤥
– My favorite one is from Express.co.uk, March 17, 2021: “Prince Charles ‘never measured up’ to Queen’s sense of duty – but William has” “Prince Charles’ dedication to the monarchy and public service has been found lacking in comparison to his mother, the Queen, and even his own son, Prince William, according to a royal expert” 😭
It’s not only the British monarchy that must be abolished but the unethical press.
Maybe he’s off getting hair plugs and can’t be seen in public because of it! Would be hilarious if he turned up to his next event with a brand new do!
Oh my god @ Kay!!! I just spit out my TEA!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂
now if you will excuse me…..
Drip drip drip. The faucet of reporting on such lazy behavior is a good start. Yes let’s hear how much his helicopter travel is. You can’t claim climate control with all those helicopter trips. So he just can’t be bothered to leave his vacation. That picture we saw of Can’t at a festival did she leave the vacation or is it more proof they are not together vacationing? Peg doesn’t want to leave the vacation he is on with whom? Come on reporters be mad enough to spill the tea.
Mmmm, talk about a faucet, even Piers Morgan is joining in so hell must be freezing over.
I’m beginning to think that ‘getting it totally wrong’ and ‘failing to read the room’ are Willy’s superpowers.
He’s definitely holidaying somewhere discreet, with someone discreet imo. The Norfolk crowd were babysitting/mollifying a left behind & sloshed Kate at that weird ‘rave tent dinner eaten after a formal dinner’ evening.
I would love if if William continues to stay away, the game starts and the camera pans to …. Harry and Meghan cheering from the crowd with the regular fans.
@Chaine – I like the idea but, would prefer it if H&M were seen happily chatting to Queen Letiza and her daughter. The media hated all the jolly fun pictures of Harry and King Willem can you imagine the meltdown if H&M were seen with yet another popular royal? 😆 😆 😆
Oh please make it so!!! Oh how would love to hear the screaming all traveling across the pond!!
I was thinking, if Meghan and Harry were still “working royals,” Meghan totally would have gone to support them.
Logistical constraints? he told them a month ago he wouldn’t be able to make it no matter what? He has NOTHING on his schedule. NOTHING. He is in the middle of a 2 month vacation. If he was actually working right now, that would be a different story – not hugely different, but slightly different. But he’s just flat out refusing to go because he doesn’t want to interrupt his vacation.
He had no issues with Beckham flying from Qatar to Boston for Earthshot; he has no issue scheduling Earthshot in Singapore and having people fly in from around the world (presumably) for that.
so this has nothing to do with the environment. This is about William and his vacation time.
The resort/yacht/island reservation had already been paid. Those are the logistical constraints. Now that this is a major kerfuffle, the bounty for a photo of Burger King vacationing with whomever just shot way up. There has to be a waiter, hotel maid or bartender who would sell out Burger King in a flash.
Imagine the cash that this anonymous person could garner?? I would imagine it would turn into a battle off offers!!
Can’t see him getting away with it this time, it’s very very bad.
Yup, it’s pretty bad when even the Fail is publishing everyone’s criticisms of both W and Sunak, but as W is the President, it appears that most of the criticism is directed his way which is certainly deserved.
I find it quite interesting that the Fail, along with the other “niche” rags, are pulling off their gloves and going after both SWF Keen and Peg of Pushing…….
i guess everyone on Salty Island have nothing to print OR are they simply tired of propping up these two useless grifters?
At this point, surely the British public is wondering why they even have a monarchy at all. If they can’t be bothered to do the sort of superficial, easy tasks for which they are amply rewarded, what exactly is the monarchy’s purpose? The Spanish royals seem to understand that if they wish to continue as the Spanish royals, they need to show up for something as basic and simple as a football game.
You are right, @brassyrebel, the Spanish royals know that right now the Spanish people are okay with having a monarchy, but at any given moment, they could change their mind, and the royals will end up like the Greek royals, so yes, they make the extra effort. The British monarchy seem to feel that the English Civil War was over 400 years ago; the monarchy recovered from Edward VIII’s abdication, so they don’t have to make the extra effort to do their jobs.
Refreshing to read a story that doesn’t drag Harry or Meghan in just for the clicks. That should worry the BRF.
I bet if the Cup was being held in the U.S. that he’d have no problem flying over.
I know the we in America are closer than Australia but please. Make the trip worth it then Willy. Go to the cup and find a few businesses and charities that work together preventing climate change or hunger. DO something.
Is Pegs on a borrowed yacht with the mistress? Is that why he can’t do his job? What a lazy scoundrel.
If it were the men’s finals, the entire family would be there and Kate would be wearing her cheapest/tackiest red earrings.
The media rightfully criticise William, the FA president, for not attending the Final. But surely the media should not drag the PM Rishi for not attending,
At least Sunak has an actual job to do. He’s the PM. I don’t think he should be criticized for not going. William, on the other hand, is the next symbolic head of state whose entire job is to do things like fly to Australia to show support. And he’s the dang president of the FA. It’s like how he refuses to do the BAFTA dinner when it’s in his own backyard at KP.
I mean I thought part of the point of the royal family was to do things like this so the PM didn’t have to and could focus on work.
This!
@Becks1 Exactly. That’s the whole point of having the royals anyway.
Yep. The Windsors are proving why a ceremonial head of state is bullshit.
It’s so enjoyable to see William being dragged for once. The guy has really just skated along for the last 7 years. See British papers….you can get clicks by talking about the other royals too! I’m guessing William is somewhere he shouldn’t be with someone he shouldnt be with. If he was chilling in Windsor or Norfolk he could easily hop on a (gasp) commercial flight and make a big deal of it. As people said yesterday he could add a couple visits to mental health or a homeless charity in Sydney to make a mini tour of it.
@ Tina, that is EXACTLY why W is holed up somewhere where he shouldn’t be!!
As for printing the criticisms that W is facing, this is what the “niche” rags should focus on as W IS the future for all of Britain and the CW too!! W, and K as well, are the future monarchs and should be held to a higher standard than the rest of the Royals. It’s about time that they start working for their keep of £24 Million a year, a YEAR!!
As for pointing out what @ Becks1 stated, this is exactly the type of event that the Royals SHOULD be committed to and actively doing, holiday OR not!!
Burger King being criticized for his disinterest in his duty is funny. I hope England wins, and he will look even more disgraceful for not being there. One hundred percent this user is rounding up his kids to shoot a good luck Instagram video to deflect the bad vibes.
The way the Lionesses have been playing there is a very good chance that they will win – it will make Peggy even worse than he does now. You can bet either way he will be there mugging for the PR when they come home – I hope they turn him down.
Using the climate change excuse for not flying is a bad idea, now every time he tales a flight KP will have to justify it. He’s really exposed himself as a hypocrite here.
The Lionesses went into this tournament as one of the favourites, they won the Euros so its not a surprise they made it this far! His team should have planned to be there for at least part, with the option to extend. They’re acting like them making the finals is some huge shock.
The real tea is where is W right now? What is so important it cant be moved?
What cracks me up is all the folks saying he’s damned if he does damned if he doesn’t.
Congratulations you just realized what a lot of other heads of state and politicians deal with…if Will wants to sit at the big kids table and not just get photo ops, he’s gonna have to face this truth.
Except he doesn’t, because the U.K. and Commonwealth still thinks this family is better than all of them, apparently. He has no incentive to be better, because he is already better than all of them, by virtue of his status.
Someone’s chain is getting yanked hard 🙂 GOOD!!! I reckon the British media know exactly where he is and are taking the chance to bait him.
Poor Billy… Can’t even go for a massive holiday all summer without the peasants whining about it. 😉
Women don’t count, you guys. That’s the message the world over, not only in England. We hear you loud and clear, William and Rishi. And America. And everywhere.
I’m surprised Sunak hasn’t jumped on this bandwagon. He’s desperately trying to reinvent himself as a beer-swilling, boat-sinking man of the people in the run-up to the next Election, despite being a thin-skinned, teetotal, cashmere-wearing billionaire.
PS: Absolutely nothing wrong with cashmere – I love it & wish I could afford it – but embrace what you are Sunak otherwise you just look fake.
Also he’s always banging on about “as the father of two daughters” so surely as the father of etc etc he should be seen to back women & girls’ sport all the way.
Honestly, the last six years in the UK have played havoc with my equanimity.
Once more and louder for those in the back.
Also the conversation about how much Wiegman gets paid for coaching the women (£400k) vs. Southgate with the men (£5M). While he is doing a decent job remind me the last thing the men won?
@ SarahCS, YES!!!!!
Thats an obscene discrepancy in pay! It’s very sad and pathetically obvious that when it comes to women’s sports organizations that women are STILL being faced with sexism and discrimination.
Last world Cup was for Men with 250 odd participents $6 billion and the last Women $350 million with 80 participents
They pay for each on how much cash they actually bring in . So the Mens Comp brings in English Premier Lg money (av wage $2.5 m a year ) and the Womens comp EPL National Lg cash (av wage $50k a year ) if you have have watched the Wrexham doc on D+/ ESPN
Every where but the US and Aus pay at that rate apart from ,the rest of the Big 12 who are now getting bigger sponsors and are paying more but not at the same of pay rate, but remember the Men only get paid for actually playing games and did not get paid by the federations during Covid , Truth is in the Mens game the clubs pay the wages the internationals are the players bonus for the top 22 in a country – Harry Kane gets £350k a week from Munich and £2000 for intenationals but they donate to that charity ,the Women get the same but keep it as it large chunk of their salary as they get £30k a year
It struck me yesterday that situations like this are the REAL reason why William is so angry that Harry left. If Harry hadn’t left that wretched family, William would have ordered his brother to represent the country in Australia and that would have been the end of it. There would have been no questions raised as to why the president of the FA couldn’t be arsed to do his job. Instead there would have been countless “leaked” stories about how Harry didn’t want to attend!
Sure, William was brought up to think Harry was his physical, emotional and moral lackey.
You can tell the party line must be “carbon footprint” because that’s what all the defenders are saying. But, like you said, it’s a badly kept secret…all those helicopter rides to get around England.
I think his team must’ve irked someone lately because it’s odd to see him getting any criticism these days. I clocked it too in the most recent Ephraim article at The Mail. He took some shots at William over the failed caribbean tour out of the blue.
Funny how the obvious becomes obvious. William has always been lazy and disinterested and he married a woman who is lazy and disinterested. The RF tried to spin it that once the incandescence over H&M died down, William would be springing into action – but that hasn’t happened, either. It kind of late to be surprised by this.
Their similarity is striking. When they can do fun things on their terms they’re all over it but as soon as there is an expectation you won’t see them for dust.
It looks like Wimbledon and the FA have been keened.
I hope Prince keen gets a lot of negative stories. The tide is turning
Hahaha! They’ve just announced that James Cleverley (the polar opposite of nominative determinism) will attend. Do I hear people shouting “who????”. He’s our esteemed Foreign Secretary who obviously had a gap in his busy diary & can never resist a photo opportunity.
Honestly. This country :-/
I don’t have a problem with Cleverly attending – at least it’s something. My biggest issue is that the President of the FA is using any excuse not to attend. We pay the BRF a huge amount of money to represent the country and when they are most needed not one of them can take the time to do so. William is the obvious choice because of how he’s used his role as president of the FA for countless photo-ops. Now ahead of one of the biggest games in the history of women’s football he decides he doesn’t need the publicity.
Cleverley (ha!) obviously wasn’t planning to attend though – they’ve bought him a ticket & stuck him on a plane at the last minute having seen how bad this all looks. They’re shameless & transparent.
Peggy has shown repeatedly he’s only interested in the mens game – lets not forget that his campaign against racism in football has been cantered on the men’s team. When the Lionesses won the Euro’s there was not a peep from peggy on the blatant sexism from the FA against the women’s sport i.e. lack of funding etc…
The fact that Cleverly is going shows that Peggy is aware of how bad this looks and the dragging he’s getting but still refuses to go. His free holiday with his side piece is more important.
Peggy really believes that the press will kiss his ass regardless – I hope they burn him.
On one hand, travelling to Australia at tax payers’ expense to simply watch a football match is very wasteful. I would accept this as an excuse from most people.
However, William is the president of the English football association. It’s his job to be there but that would mean having to interrupt one of his many holidays to do what is expected of someone in his position. Duty, responsibility and service are not words to be found in William’s vocabulary.
Rishi Sunak, at least, has a busy job. The country is in a mess and to ditch everything and go round the world to watch a football match would be considered unnecessary by some. He could be represented by the government minister responsible for sport.
Given that English football is still holding on to the glory of something that happened 57 years ago, even after the women won the Euro’s last summer this suggests that a. William is super lazy/abroad with the latest sidepiece, b. women’s football doesn’t count to those at the top, c. both a and b.
This is the most success an English football team has had in 50+ years – so it’s really become a huge deal in England (and has been phenomenally good for girls’ and women’s football here). It would cost William nothing to go, and he’d probably still get lots of goodwill for showing up. I mean, it’s not like he has much on, is it? (At least Rishi has the excuse of an actual job). But he just can’t be arsed. And if he can’t show up to show his support for stuff like this, what exactly is the point of him?
And I absolutely believe he’d be there in a flash if it was the men’s team.
This is par for the course for William. He skipped shifts at the air ambulance base. He would cancel appearances for hunting weekends etc. He even skipped out on peter Phillips wedding to go to j e c c a s brothers wedding.
Once again Will is just clueless as a statesman. Attending would be an easy win for him, genuine excitement, fulfilling his president of FA role, no booing. Taking a commercial flight would have shown environmental concern. I guess he prefers to show up to places where only a few tourists show up to see him. Or sporting events in the US where he gets booed.
If Kate was anything like the tabloid recently tried to paint she would jump on this opportunity to represent the RF on an international level at a high profile women’s sporting event. I have never understood why Kate hasn’t jumped on women’s sports as a field of interest it would be such an easy PR win and the vents would be the type of easy fun “work” she seems to like doing.
I personally believe that Kate, despite being seen as “sporty”, doesn’t show up for female athletes is because she doesn’t like other women. Shes just too much of a jealous and competitive person, who sees all women as competition. You’re right that it would be such good and easy PR for Kate to be seen as a champion of women in sports. She doesn’t show because she doesn’t want to be compared to other women, not in accomplishments or looks.
She’d be there in a shot if, say, Ben Ainslie or Roger Federer were there, tossing her wiglet about and flirting gruesomely.
Not so bothered about women in sport, oddly.
Kate plus Charlotte (or plus all the kids) would be ratings gold. Or, in another alternate universe where Meghan was welcomed into the family and treated with love, kindness, and decency, Meghan and Kate attending together would be a major win for Brand Royal.
I can’t believe I’m going to type this but, I doubt William would let her attend even if she wanted to. To paraphrase one of him from a previous tantrum even if she hinted that she’d like to go with Charlotte and George he would probably scream at her “Football is mine!”
HRH Buttons should go with Charlotte the cub, and cosplay lionesses. “Rawr”, gentle paw swipe.
It’s time to print out a missing persons flyer with Pegs face on it. The Prince of Wales is missing! Please help find him, his MIL is worried.
Slight derail: “f-king” — that’s the abbreviation for “future king” right?
William could win a lot of points by attending, and by taking Charlotte and George with him if they want to go. Acting as though he has better things to do — when his job responsibilities are what many of us would view as once-in-a-lifetime experiences — is not the best way to get people invested in maintaining a monarchy. Nice that this is getting so much attention.
Too late for a change of heart now. This is a major mistake by the #notmymonarchy – even if he turns up at the last minute the whole world knows that he’s only there because of pressure from us peasants.
Oh bloody hell, now Boris Johnson’s getting involved. Never seen a bandwagon he wouldn’t try to haul his lazy self-absorbed ass onto.
It is amazing (or maybe not) that William is unwilling to do, what so many have done on numerous occasions i.e. interrupting our vacation/holiday because some work emergency calls. William really must think he is better than his “subjects.”
The whole carbon footprint thing is a convenient excuse and a terrible one at that. Let’s face it, the UK women’s team (any team) making it to the finals isn’t exactly a routine event. Is the palace really trying to sell William as so dedicated to this cause that he will not break it, even for this historic event? One that if it results in victory, will essentially give William free and unearned positive PR simply for existing in the same space. William’s decision not to attend isn’t just a bad decision, it is a very stupid one.
Funny how the folks who are constantly criticizing others for making the wrong move, are also constantly making the wrong moves.
Must be great having a job you can never get fired from, no matter how much you suck.
He could have made this a nice family vacation (at least outwardly, or to whatever extent that’s possible for the Waleses) and made a big deal of getting to take his kids, especially his daughter, to see the Lionesses play. If only he weren’t so myopic and unmotivated, because he and the rest of the royals desperately some embiggening
While environmental concern is a lame excuse considering his usual movements, I’m all for any flight that isn’t taken and find the argument, that he needs to fly thousands of miles for his occupation equally inappropriate.
We have a climate crisis. Prince William is obviously lazy, and Queen Letizia is obviously ignorant. Sorry, we have to act now, every single one of us. That includes not flying around the world for emotional support as a symbolic figure of an archaic institution.
Is it the money? Australia kicks in for a royal tour but not for the PoW visiting for a football game? Is that why they don’t seem to go anywhere other than short trips to the mountains for skiing or over to the Caribbean for some sun & sand, where a ‘family friend’ offers free accommodations?
It’s also silly because, not only is he currently on vacation, but what they’re asking him to do at the WC is literally….a vacation. Yes, it’s an official appearance and yes, I suppose he’ll have to shake hands and take photos, but it’s not like they’re asking him to work in a mine or a poultry factory when he arrives in Australia. This is not a labor intensive, exhausting task. I’ve just finished working a full week at my job, and I would hop a plane in a minute to go to the WC. I think it’s not a question of William not wanting to go, I think there’s some reason or situation that makes it impossible for him to go.
FK making it crystal clear that he never puts himself out for anyone else and if he doesn’t want to do something then forget about it!! And yes if this was the men’s competition he would be over there like a shot grabbing all the glory for himself with Beckham brown nosing for a knighthood next to him!
We can point out his blatant laziness, disrespect and ignorance which are all true, but l want to know what’s the REAL reason he’s not attending. I believe there’s more to this than meets the eye and given his constant helicopter use, it can’t be that’s he a major proponent of environmentalism. My deviant mind is saying he’s holed up with the mistress and won’t leave. If that’s true, as future head of state he definitely has his priorities straight.🙄
Tell us Pegs is off entertaining his current sidepiece without telling us he’s off entertaining his current sidepiece.
Don’t get it twisted. Pegs extracurricular romantic adventures are not going to take a back seat to duty (or even prudence) ever. Too bad for the Lionesses. But good luck on Sunday. It seems that the British public has your backs. #GoLionesses
As I said elsewhere, I’ve been pretty ambivalant about who wins as I think Spain have played better football through the tournament althought the Lionesses have improved dramatically in the last two games. However I’m now absolutely 100% TEAM LIONESS as I think it will compound the embarrassment one hundred fold if England win & this spoiled petulant anachronism isn’t there to congratulate them. Hahahahaa. I am absolutely LOVING this. It’s amazing how much has happened since her maj died – the monarchy is crumbling more with each passing week.
#notmymonarchy
It’s completely unacceptable that William as head of the FOOTBALL Association is not attending. He has no excuse. Not his BS selective environmental concerns, not his vacation, not his ‘family commitments’, not the fact it’s far away, not the shooting season, not that he’s one of the laziest royals ever. They said it was always known he couldn’t fly. What the hell is that “he couldn’t fly”. *That* doesn’t fly you mean.
As an another poster pointed out, this is a BFD event where England football is concerned. And their FA President can’t even be bothered. Shameful.
Commenting as an Australian – it would be an absolute gift to the Australian republican movement for William to fly out to support England, underlining the fact that he is first in line to be king of Australia and yet supports the opposition against us.
Totally! I’m still sad that the Tillys lost but this story is upside.
IMO if it was the UK men in the World Cup final you can bet he’ll drag himself to Australia.
While William is getting what he deserves for being lazy and sexist, the real issue the press, especially the Royal Rota, have is William has embarrassed them and shown all the sycophancy is bullsh*t. They trash Harry traveling anywhere to show up for what’s important to him and call him an eco hypocrite, but now all of a sudden they want William to travel to prove he may actually care about something other than his own ego.They also know Harry would show up for something like this, take the criticism about flying, and fully support the team ( also leave him out of this-not his problem). Now they’ve boxed him in a corner where he won’t be able to go anywhere unless it’s ferry and trains. This is exactly what they deserve.
Palmolive in particular is inching back to his pre meg(an stance of being critical of William and Kate for being lazy.
It is also more than likely than the rota know exactly where he is and with whom, hence the digs about his refusal to travel to the final, when he has no problem doing short trips across the ocean, as he will do in a few weeks with Earthshot.
His grandpa, Prince Philip, would be utterly ashamed of him
Do your duty!