Lionesses star Lucy Bronze has revealed she gave Prince William a personalised gift for Princess Charlotte.
The young royal has been known for her love of football and for attending matches alongside the future king.
Bronze has been part of England’s Euro 2022 and 2025 winning squads, and is gearing up for club-level success this weekend.
The 34-year-old revealed: “I remember the first time I met him (William) back in 2015.
Princess Charlotte was gifted an England shirt by the Lionesses
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“Prince William’s a huge fan of ours, and I’m sure his kids are as well, so it’s really nice to get that support.
“He’s such an important person to the country and has such a huge influence on so many people. It would be amazing if his daughter played for England one day.
“Before every major tournament, he’s been in to see the girls at camp. One year, we had a little England shirt printed for Charlotte with her name on the back,” she told Hello.
However, it has not all been smooth sailing for Prince William when it comes to championing the nation’s football teams.
In 2023, the prince suffered a backlash when he decided not to travel to Australia to support the Lionesses in their historic first appearance in a Women’s World Cup final.
The decision was exacerbated by the fact that no member of the British Royal Family attended the pivotal match, while the Queen of Spain and her daughter both made the long-haul journey to Australia to cheer on their country’s team.
Prince William has passed his love of football along to his children
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James Cleverly, who was the UK Foreign Secretary at the time, was selected to represent the country at the event.
The day before the final, Prince William apologised for deciding not to attend the match in a video message alongside his daughter, Princess Charlotte.
Prince William said: “Lionesses, I want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow. We’re sorry we can’t be there in person, but we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved and the millions you’ve inspired here and around the world. So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.”
Princess Charlotte added: “Good luck, Lionesses.”
Prince William’s love for football does not just stop with England’s teams; the Prince of Wales is also a devoted Aston Villa fan.
Last season, the royal travelled to Monaco and Paris to support the Birmingham-based club in their first-ever Champions League campaign.
Prince William brought Prince George to the French capital to watch Aston Villa’s quarter-final match with PSG in a moment that royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams described as “important for the royal image”.
Prince George regularly attends Aston Villa games with his father
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Mr Fitzwilliams hailed the decision, telling GB News: “It is very good for George, going to Paris in that way and seeing some of the other matches they have been to together.
“It is important for the royal image that you have this balance between showing who you are and then certain events that are more formal.”
The trip to Paris also allowed Prince William to connect with millions of football fans across the UK.
