Lionesses get royal seal of approval from William

THE Prince of Wales has pitched in with the Lionesses’ preparations for Euro 2025, helping to print names and numbers on shirts the team will wear in Switzerland, and wishing the squad “the best of luck” for the tournament.

- By MATTHEW COOPER

William, who is patron of the Football Association, chatted with England head coach Sarina Wiegman and presented match jerseys to all 23 squad members at the St George's Park.

In a brief personal address to the players, who begin their title defence with a group game against France in Zurich on Saturday, the prince said: “I just want to say the best of luck to all of you.

“I have seen a few of you and said that to your faces. I know there is a good mixture of those who have been and done a few tournaments before and those whose first tournament it is.”

William, who had earlier used a heat-press machine to put the finishing touches to striker Aggie Beever-Jones’ number 19 jersey, said the players he had met during Monday's visit seemed “very relaxed and very together and with it.”