Royals

A Punchy King Charles Tells England Not to Raise Its “Collective Heart Rate”

The king and Prince William congratulated the nation's soccer team on their recent win with a personal callout to one player—and a plea for an early victory.
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Following the England National soccer team’s triumphant win against the Netherlands in the Euro Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night, King Charles III and Prince William celebrated with a few joyous public comments. “Good luck, England!” the king said after the match in advance of Sunday’s final game against Spain.

He also added some dry humor about the stressful penalty kick-off when the Lions advanced to the finals in 2021. “My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the U.E.F.A. European Championship—and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match,” his statement read. “If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!"

Wednesday night’s win was clinched by a last minute goal by striker Ollie Watkins, who was later named the match’s MVP. During the regular seasons, Watkins plays for Aston Villa, the Birmingham team that counts William as its highest profile supporter. In a comment sent personally by William after the game concluded, he praised Watkins’s goal in particular. “What a beauty, Ollie! Congratulations England!” he said, before signing off as “W.”

William and Watkins last got together in June, when the prince visited the England National Training Center to wish the team luck before the tournament got underway in Germany. On July 7, William traveled to the Düsseldorf Arena to watch the team play Switzerland during the quarter-finals match, where he was photographed enthusiastically cheering when Bukayo Saka scored an exciting goal. A Thursday engagement for his Homewards charity addressing homelessness in the UK kept the prince from attending the semi-finals, but he has not yet announced whether he plans to return to watch the finals in person.