PRINCE William has given the England team a royal send-off before Gareth Southgate’s 26 hopefuls jet off to Germany for the Euros.
Wills, who is President of the FA, wished the squad good luck as they left St George’s Park for their Euros base.
Prince William gave the Three Lions a pep talk
Prince William meeting England manager Gareth Southgate this morning
Prince William arrived at the base this morning
The Prince of Wales chatted to Three Lions boss Southgate before presenting shirts to each of the squad members.
William told the players how his children had offered them a hilarious piece of advice.
He said: “I was on the school run this morning with the children and I asked them what I should say to you today.
“The best bit of advice I got to ask you was to eat twice as much as you normally eat.
“I don’t have visions of all of you running around with massive red tummies and getting stitches on the pitch.
“So I think maybe take my youngest’s kind of advice with a pinch of salt.”
Schools from across the Midlands have also been invited to St George’s Park to attend a festival of football during which schoolchildren will play friendly fixtures against each other.
William attended England‘s games in Euro 2020, which took place in Euro 2021 due to Covid, but gave the Qatar World Cup a miss.
Back home, pubs are stocking up for a summer soccer spectacular as the nation stands ready to roar on our boys.
England arrive among the favourites but Southgate will be praying for a return to form after Friday’s dismal Wembley send-off when they lost 1-0 to Iceland.
Their remote but luxurious base set in 350 acres of glorious countryside – with three golf courses and a spa – is seen as the best soccer HQ of any Euros team.
Southgate will start putting players through their paces on the hotel’s own Wembley-quality training pitch tomorrow as the team gears up for Sunday curtain raiser against Serbia.
The team’s hotel is near the central German town of Blankenhain – and civic officials were due to hand every player “welcome bags” containing wine, crackers – and dumpling broth.
Germany‘s national team had training at the hotel before England’s arrival.
Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller was revealed to have left a note for club teammate Harry Kane.
The message was said to have wished the Three Lions striker “all the best” adding “great conditions, very friendly people – and sometimes it even rains”.
William’s pep talk in full
Guys, I was just thinking on the way here what I would say today. Some of you have heard me speak before, some of you are new to the setup.
I thought, what can I offer to all of you and your experienced team here, Gareth – what can I say that could help you in any way?
I was on the school run this morning with the children and I asked them what I should say to you today.
The best bit of advice I got to ask you was to eat twice as much as you normally eat.
I don’t have visions of all of you running around with massive red tummies and getting stitches on the pitch.
So I think maybe take my youngest’s kind of advice with a pinch of salt.
Tournament football, it’s a big deal. All of you have had fantastic seasons.
I’ve seen every single one of you play this season. You’ve all done amazingly well.
As some of you know way better than anyone else in this room, tournament football is brutal.
It requires a lot more than you’ve already given. You’ve had a long, long season as it is, and we’re going to ask you to go again
It’s going to be difficult. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be challenging.
It’s going to be everything that you’ve ever dreamed of, you know, wearing that English shirt.
I think you’re going to have to draw on all the experience you’ve had playing club football.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from coming and seeing you guys over the years in the dressing room I’ve been into is the togetherness.
What Gareth has instilled in all of you over the years, I really feel you’re a unit.
You fight for each other. You play for each other. And you really care about putting that shirt on.
And I just want you guys to know how much it means to everyone back here.
You go out there. Give your all. Play for the shirt. Play for each other. Play for the country.
Because everyone’s behind you. We really care about what you’re going to do.
And I think you need to know also, you know, the England team has a target at the back.
Everyone wants to beat us. So when you step on that pitch, you’re going to be, you’re going to want to be, you know.
And you guys have got all the talent in the world. You’re a great squad, but talent alone won’t win us the tournament.
And so whatever you can do, draw on those experiences in other parts of your life, growing up, other inspirations, other people, family members.
Whatever it is, you know, get that in you right now. Build up on it. Pump yourself up.
Because, you know, you never know when you might need it in the future.
But listen, I’m rambling. I wish you all the best. I really do. I’ve been watching you some games.
I won’t get to say what I do at home, watching some matches. But we get very much into it. We really enjoy it.
And yeah, just best of luck, guys. Bye. Thank you.