The Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer, has stepped in to defend Prince William as criticism mounts over his choice to skip the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, where the Lionesses are set to compete.
Prince William, also the president of the Football Association, has faced backlash for opting not to travel to Australia for England’s historic World Cup final.
While members of the Spanish royal family are present at the event, sources from the palace have cited concerns over the prince’s carbon footprint and the potential diplomatic implications of his visit to Australia.
Amidst the controversy, Lucy Frazer, who is attending the final along with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, stood by Prince William in an interview conducted at the Sydney Opera House.
Frazer highlighted Prince William’s long-standing support for sports and football, emphasizing his role as the president of the FA.
She assured that Prince William’s backing for the England team remains unwavering, regardless of his physical presence at the final.
When asked whether his absence could be perceived as a snub, Frazer defended his extensive contributions to various sports events and engagements.
Prince William himself expressed his support for the Lionesses in a video message, in which he wished them luck and conveyed his pride in their accomplishments.
The video, accompanied by his daughter Princess Charlotte’s cheerful encouragement, underlined his admiration for the team.
However, reasons for his absence were outlined by sources close to Kensington Palace, including concerns about his carbon footprint, his upcoming commitments related to his environmental campaign, Earthshot, and the potential diplomatic implications of his visit to Australia.
The royal family has faced criticism for their lack of direct presence at the Women’s World Cup final, with comparisons drawn to hypothetical scenarios involving the men’s team.
Critics have highlighted the disparities in support and attention given to women’s sports, especially in comparison to their male counterparts.
Despite the controversy, the Lionesses have garnered widespread admiration for their achievements and made it to the final for the first time in their history.
As the Lionesses prepare for their momentous final, discussions surrounding gender equality in sports continue to gain momentum, shedding light on disparities in support, visibility, and compensation between men’s and women’s sports teams.
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