What began as a proud father-daughter moment turned controversial as fans question Prince George's absence from the match
What was meant to be a celebratory moment for Prince William and his daughter Princess Charlotte took an unexpected turn after their appearance at the Women's Euro 2025 final sparked backlash online.
The Prince of Wales attended the high-stakes match between England and Spain on July 27 at St. Jakob-Park Stadium in Switzerland, where the Lionesses claimed a triumphant victory. Princess Charlotte joined her father for the occasion, marking the first time she took part in a joint statement with him, praising the England women’s team.
The message, shared via official channels, read: “What a game! @lionesses, you are the champions of Europe, and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment @england.”
However, the royal outing soon stirred debate across social media platforms. Many questioned why Prince George, known for his passion for football, was not present at the final. Some critics speculated that the future King might not view women's football with the same importance as the men's game, pointing to his frequent attendance at matches with his son rather than his daughter.
One social media user posted: “Where’s Prince George, who is a huge England football fan? Is the women’s game not equal to the men’s then?” Another added, “Again, Prince William sending the message that women’s football is not real football; it’s football for girls.”
Others compared William’s choices to those of King Felipe of Spain, who has been praised for taking his daughter, Infanta Sofia, to both men’s and women’s games.
Despite the criticism, it’s worth noting that Prince George’s absence may be linked to royal safety protocols, which restrict his international travel without additional security considerations.
While the outing was intended as a bonding moment for Charlotte and her father, it has opened up broader discussions around royal representation, gender equality in sport, and public expectations of modern monarchy.
