As president of the English Football Association, Prince William has strong ties to the sport and is usually seen supporting the national team from the stands. That is why his absence from the World Cup has attracted so much attention. While royals such as King Felipe, King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Máxima attended matches to cheer on their teams, the British royal family was notably missing from the stadiums. With England making a deep run in the tournament, questions grew over why William, one of the country’s most prominent football supporters, remained at home.

Prince William Only Planned to Attend the Final

The prince had already addressed the possibility of attending before England’s final matches. During an appearance on the podcast hosted by brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, William was asked whether he would travel to the U.S. to support England if the team reached the final.

His response was clear: “Definitely. If we're in the finals.” Buckingham Palace later confirmed that the Prince of Wales would only attend if England reached the championship match. This explained why he had not appeared at any earlier games.

Prince George and Wimbledon Were Key Factors

Beyond the possibility of attending the final, family commitments and scheduling also played a role in William’s absence. Princess Kate is a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and was expected to attend Wimbledon. She later appeared at the tournament alongside William and their two oldest children.

At the same time, Prince George had recently completed the school year at Lambrook School and is preparing for his upcoming move to Eton. The milestone was considered an important moment for the family, and William reportedly chose to remain at home rather than spend several days abroad.

Royal Expert Points to Possible Political Considerations

There was also speculation that diplomatic factors may have influenced the decision. Royal expert Simon Vigar suggested that a World Cup trip to the U.S. could have involved official expectations beyond football.

"If Prince William did visit the US, it would almost certainly involve meeting President Trump” he explained, according to Hello!

Attending the tournament, therefore, would not have been viewed as just a personal trip. Author Richard Fitzwilliams also told Celebrity Intelligence: “Royalty has to be used sparingly. Handling this with care gives it a special cachet.”

William Supported England From Home

Although William was not in the stadium, he remained emotionally invested in the team’s journey. Following England’s elimination, he shared a heartfelt message expressing his disappointment and pride.

“Gutted. England, you gave it everything and we are all so proud of you,” the prince wrote on Instagram. He also thanked the players for their efforts throughout the tournament.

His support may not have come from the stands, but from home, alongside Kate and their children.