Prince George comforted by dad after cheering with England fans as William declares: ‘you can hold your heads high’
PRINCE George was comforted by his dad after England suffered a “heartbreaking” defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
William stood with his hands on his seven-year-old son’s shoulders as they realised the Three Lions wouldn’t be bringing it home – but declared the squad should “hold your heads high”.
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The future king cheered alongside Kate Middleton and footie-mad Wills with the 66,000-strong Wembley crowd as England went 1-0 up in the first two minutes.
The stadium erupted after Luke Shaw netted the ball, bringing the team one step closer to bringing the trophy home after a 55-year drought.
And little George looked on top of the world as he celebrated the goal, beaming at the duke and hugging his mum in celebration.
But Italian Leonardo Bonucci managed to nab an equaliser in the 67th minute, before clinching a win on penalties.
Despite the initial excitement, George, dressed smartly in a suit and tie, was left devastated – and Kate too was pictured with her head in her hands.
And after the game, William described England’s Euro 2020 defeat as “heartbreaking.
But he told the team: “You’ve all come so far, but sadly this time it wasn’t our day.
“You can all hold your heads high, and be so proud of yourselves — I know there’s more to come.”
The duke, duchess and George sang God Save the Queen before kick-off.
Kate rushed to make it in time for the 8pm kick-off after spending the day at Wimble for the final day of the two-week tournament.
And it was hoped the couple’s eldest son – who was labelled England’s “lucky charm” after he was in the stands to see the Three Lions beat Germany 2-0 – would see the squad victorious once more.
George is previously reported to have “begged” his parents to take him to the game.
He is said to have “twisted their arms” to get to be in the stands, and his choice of a suit was thanks to his dad as “George idolises him”, according to a royal expert.
Duncan Larcombe told OK! magazine: “That’s why we saw him looking so smart in his suit—he really wanted to dress like William.”
The royal trio had previously shown their love for the game when they went wild after late goals from captain Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling saw the team reach the finals.
But George missed out seeing England beat Denmark in the semi-finals, with William instead celebrating the 2-1 victory alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson and wife Carrie.
Both the Duke of Cambridge and his son George are mega football fans so it’s no surprise they were both in attendance tonight.
William had earlier delivered a rousing cry to Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of the big game in which he wished them “the very best of luck”.
Wills gushed: “I can’t really believe this is happening.”
The future king said: “Gareth, Harry, and to every member of the England team on and off the pitch, I just want to wish you the very best of luck for tonight.
“What a team performance it’s been. Every member of the squad has played their part, and all the back room team as well have been truly essential.
“I can’t really believe this is happening. So exciting and I just wish you the very best of luck.
“You bring out the very best of England and we are all behind you.
“The whole country is behind you. So, bring it home.”
The Queen also sent a moving good luck message to the team, praising their “spirit, commitment, and pride”.
The 95-year-old appeared to be swept up in the Euro 2020 excitement, hoping history would “record” the Three Lions’ success and show them beating Roberto Mancini’s tough Italian side.
Writing the note on Windsor Castle-headed paper, the monarch evoked memories of 1966 when she famously presented the World Cup to England Captain Bobby Moore after the 4-2 win over Germany.
‘BRING IT HOME’
Addressing the letter to manager Gareth Southgate OBE – she wrote: “55 years ago I was fortunate to present the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant to the players, management and support staff to reach and win the final of a major international football tournament.
“I want to send my congratulations and that of my family to you all on reaching the final of the European Championships, and send my good wishes for tomorrow with the hope that history will record not only your success but also the spirit, commitment, and pride with which you have conducted yourselves.”
She signed the note “Elizabeth R”.
The England squad responded to the “very, very special message”, saying: “Thank you for your support, Your Majesty.”
Some eagled-eye fans thought they spotted a hidden message in the Queen’s good luck letter.
One Twitter user managed to find the footie anthem “It’s Coming Home” within her note, written on Windsor Castle-headed paper.
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The Queen was not at Wembley for the 8pm kick off.
But the monarch is believed to have watched the historic game on TV at Windsor Castle, joining a 35-million strong audience also tuning in at home.
It was set to be the most-watched event in UK TV history – with more than 44 million people watching in total.