William... I'll be cheering for England AND Wales

PRINCE William insists he will be cheering for both England and Wales at the World Cup - despite the fact they will shortly be playing each other for a place in the knockout stages.

-  Richard Palmer

Angry Welsh supporters say William's status as Prince of Wales conflicts with his presidency of England's Football Association and his public support for the Three Lions during the finals, starting in Qatar on Sunday.

England are in the same group as Wales, who have qualified for the finals for the first time since 1958.

Welsh movie star Michael Sheen said it was "entirely inappropriate" that the Prince had visited the England squad on Monday, presenting them with their shirt numbers and wishing them luck.

The actor, 53, tweeted: "He can, of course, support whoever he likes and as Pres of FA his role makes visit understandable - but surely he sees holding the title Prince of Wales at same time is entirely inappropriate?

"Not a shred of embarrassment? Or sensitivity to the problem here?" Another supporting fan said: "He's an Englishman England while wearing a crown the English robbed from the Welsh. It's like a calculated insult to Welsh football fans."

The Three Lions take on the Dragons on November 29 in Ar Rayyan in their crunch final game in Group B which could decide who gets through to the knock-out rounds although both teams could progress. William, 40, was tackled about his dilemma on his first visit to the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, in Cardiff yesterday since he became Prince of Wales.