Prince’s World Cup choice riles the dragons
William walks a diplomatic tightrope after actor Sheen leads attack on his support for both England and Wales
‘I’ve supported England since I was quite small. But I support Welsh rugby and that’s my way of doing it’
IT WAS his first diplomatic challenge of the new royal era. How could the Prince of Wales win the support of the Welsh people when he is also an ardent England football fan?
Prince William found himself walking a tightrope yesterday as he sought to address the thorny issue of divided loyalties following a volley of criticism led by Welsh actor Michael Sheen.
An England v Wales final, he insisted during a visit to the Senedd in Cardiff, would be the ideal scenario during the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar.
“I’m telling everyone I’m supporting both, definitely,” he said. “I can’t lose.”
Not everyone agreed. The trouble started on Monday after the Prince, who is the president of the Football Association, presented the England players with their World Cup shirts.
He told them: “I’m sure you’ll go far... the rest of the country is behind you. We are all rooting for you. Enjoy it.” In any other year, it would hardly have been contentious. But this happens to be the first time since 1958 that Wales have qualified for the World Cup finals.
Leading the backlash was Sheen, who two years ago returned his OBE in order to speak out against the practice of handing the title of Prince of Wales to the heir apparent to the British throne.
On Twitter, he wrote that the Prince’s message to the England squad was “entirely inappropriate” given his title.
“Not a shred of embarrassment or sensitivity to the problem?” he asked. Hundreds of his supporters concurred.
The Prince’s visit to the Senedd offered a timely opportunity to set things straight. Highlighting his role as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, he told politicians: “I’ve supported England since I’ve been quite small. But I support Welsh rugby and that’s my way of doing it. I happily support Wales over England in the rugby.”
Elin Jones, the presiding officer, replied: “We can agree to disagree.” The Prince acknowledged that for Wales to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958 was a “big deal”.
He added: “An England v Wales World Cup final would be the best, that would be pretty good. I’m making sure I’m out there supporting Wales through all the process because I know this is a big deal for Wales. When I was growing up, Wales didn’t get through to the tournaments so I had to make a choice.”
Sheen did not respond to the Prince’s comments last night.
He performed a rousing speech during a recent television appearance, chanting: “When the English come knocking on our door, let’s give them some sugar boys. Let’s give them some Welsh sugar.”
The Prince, an ardent Aston Villa fan, has ruled out attending the tournament due to a “busy winter schedule”.
But aides have hinted that might change if England were to reach the final on Dec 18.
♦the Prince and Princess of Wales will welcome the president of South Africa to the UK next week for the first state visit of the new Royal era. Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife Dr Tshepo Motsepe will be the first world leaders hosted by the King and Queen Consort. It is the first state visit in the UK since then-president Donald Trump’s in 2019.