Prince William has explained why he supports England in international football - but said he will be cheering on Wales as well during the World Cup.
During a visit to the Senedd, the Prince of Wales was shown a bucket hat by Llywydd Elin Jones and asked about his allegiance in the upcoming World Cup. He had previously come in for criticism for telling the England team, "I’m really here to point out that the rest of the country is behind you. We are all rooting for you, enjoy it.”
Michael Sheen has said that the message was "entirely inappropriate" and questioned why Prince William had not "a shred of embarrassment or sensitivity" to the controversial nature of his message given his title as Prince of Wales. The Welsh team will play England in the group stage of the World Cup as rivals.
Read more: Prince William arrives in Wales for a visit to the Senedd
The Prince told Elin Jones that he thought it would be inauthentic to switch to supporting Wales ahead of England. He said: “I tell people I am supporting both. I can't lose. I have supported England since I was quite small. I support England more in the football but Wales in the rugby. When I was growing up Wales didn’t get through to the tournaments but I will be supporting them all the way through the process. Getting to the World Cup is a big deal and I’ll be supporting Wales through the process.”
The Prince added that Wales had not reached an international tournament while he was growing up. He added that he had to be "careful" with his affiliations because it wouldn't "look right" if he suddenly dropped England to support Wales.
The Prince is a longstanding England fan and is President of the Football Association and Kensington Palace have indicated they feel it would lack sincerity if William was to switch allegiance in his new role as Prince of Wales.
Speaking in the chamber the Prince added that he was learning a bit of Welsh. He said: “I am learning Welsh phrases. Happy to do speeches on Welsh but they can’t be very long!”
Read more:
- Why is Wales missing out on the UK's biggest-ever rail infrastructure spending spree?
- Welsh Labour MP says the party would consider introducing ID cards
Discontent in Plaid Cymru at culture under Adam Price as issues mount
- The strange world of former climate change denier, devolution and same-sex marriage opponent David Davies
Teacher strikes more likely after Welsh Government refuses to budge on 5% pay offer
