Queen Letizia of Spain dazzles at World Cup winning game as England’s Prince William snubs match

Prince William’s already controversial absence from the World Cup final on Sunday night time was made much more conspicuous by the presence of Spain’s Queen Letizia, who confirmed as much as cheer on her nation and was on the centre of its victory celebrations.

Queen Letizia, 50, and her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofia, each watched from the stands in Sydney as Spain defeated England 1-0 to win the World Cup.

(Infanta is the title used for a daughter of the Spanish monarch who isn’t the inheritor to the throne. Sofia is second within the line of succession behind her older sister, Princess Leonor.)

Letizia wore a scarlet trouser go well with in a vibrant present of assist for her crew, referred to as La Roja, which implies pink.

“The Infanta Sofía is a superb fan of soccer, a sport that she has performed, and this similar yr she accompanied the King within the Cup last held in Sevilla,” the Queen posted on Instagram earlier than the match.

“Collectively together with her sister, Princess Leonor, she additionally attended a match of the Spanish crew within the Euros, held final yr in England.”

“It’s a pleasure, and it’s thrilling, to be right here to assist the Spanish soccer crew. They’re already champions,” Letizia added when she spoke to Spain’s TV1 earlier than kick-off.

The Spanish crew turned champions in a extra literal sense shortly afterwards.

Letizia and Sofia took half within the post-match presentation after which celebrated with their countrywomen, the Queen dancing jubilantly alongside them and even lifting the trophy herself.

In the meantime William, who isn’t solely inheritor to the British throne however President of the English Soccer Affiliation, was nowhere to be seen, having determined to not attend the match – his nation’s first World Cup last because the males’s crew final reached one in 1966.

The Prince of Wales’ alternative to stay on vacation together with his household as an alternative of travelling to Sydney ignited a storm of criticism, with a number of excessive profile Brits suggesting he would have attended a male World Cup last.

He launched a short video message expressing assist for the English crew forward of the match, together with his daughter Princess Charlotte sitting alongside him.

“Lionesses, we wish to ship you an enormous ‘good luck’ for tomorrow,” William mentioned.

“We’re sorry we can’t be there in particular person, however we’re so happy with every thing you’ve gotten achieved and the thousands and thousands you’ve impressed right here and world wide.

“So go on the market tomorrow and actually get pleasure from yourselves.”

“Good luck Lionesses,” added Charlotte, clutching a soccer in her lap.

Observers have supplied a number of potential causes for William’s no-show, one being that King Charles has not but travelled to Australia because the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, and it could be unconstitutional for the Prince to go to earlier than him.

One other potential clarification put ahead is the carbon footprint a brief journey to Australia would create – although satirically, William does plan to fly to New York for just two days subsequent month, to announce the finalists for an environmental award.

No matter his reasoning, the English gamers had been greeted and congratulated by the Spanish Queen on the rostrum after their defeat, and whereas Letizia celebrated together with her crew after the presentation, William was not current to commiserate together with his.

Pauline Cope, a former England goalkeeper, was cautious to keep away from criticising the royal household earlier than the sport however did name William’s choice to not attend the ultimate a “disgrace”.

“I can’t have any dangerous phrases towards the royal household,” mentioned Cope.

“Nonetheless, this could have been pencilled in his diary from day dot, after we received the Euros and certified for the World Cup.”

She was equally dissatisfied in Britain’s Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who watched the ultimate in a pub, and Gareth Southgate, coach of the boys’s crew.

“Let’s be sincere, if it was the boys’s World Cup, they might all be there,” Cope mentioned.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan was amongst these providing harsher criticism.

“With respect, Your Royal Highness, you must have gotten on a airplane,” he mentioned.

“Ridiculous that the Queen of Spain is attending the World Cup last to assist her nation’s crew and also you received’t be there, regardless of being President of the FA.”

After the match, William posted a tweet concerning the outcome.

“Though it’s the outcome none of us needed, Lionesses, you’ve gotten completed yourselves and this nation proud,” the Prince mentioned.

“Your spirit and drive have impressed so many individuals and paved the best way for generations to come back. Thanks for the footballing recollections.

“Congratulations to Spain.”