Prince William is expected to remain as president of the Football Association, despite his new role as Prince of Wales raising questions.
The Royal has held his role since 2006. While partly ceremonial, it has seen him take a more active role of late, and he personally congratulated the Lionesses squad during their run to European Championships glory over the summer.
After the death of the Queen and the accession to the throne of King Charles III, Prince William inherited his father's former title of Prince of Wales. And, with England's men due to face their Welsh counterparts at the upcoming World Cup, questions have been asked.
As reported by The Mail, Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on whether the royal will keep his role within football. Before William was appointed as FA president, the role was held by Prince Andrew between 2000 and 2006.
Prince William is known to be an Aston Villa fan as well as supporting the England football team. He was at Wembley for the final of the Euros, and he hugged members of Sarina Wiegman's victorious squad.
"Historically, there was a rule with royals that you could look but you couldn’t touch," former royal butler Grant Harrold told OK at the time. "If you met a royal, you could look at them and if they offered you a handshake, you were to accept it.
“That was a lot to do with the mystique surrounding the family but also for security reasons, too. I think William and the other younger royals have realised that they can’t get away with being aloof,” he says."
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England have been drawn against Wales for the second time in the past decade, having also faced off at Euro 2016 when William was FA president but not yet Prince of Wales. On that occasion, a late goal from Daniel Sturridge gave England a 2-1 group stage victory.
The two national sides are due to go head to head on November 29. It will be the third and potentially decisive group game, with England and Wales each facing Iran and the United States in Qatar before their clash.
The prince was also in attendance for the final of the men's European Championships in 2021, when England were beaten on penalties by Italy. There were reports that he had snubbed a handshake with Italian president Sergio Mattarella, but these were quickly dismissed both by Buckingham Palace and by UEFA.
He also visited the England squad in their dressing room after the game to offer his sympathies. "The Duke (of Cambridge) has been down to see them in the dressing room and has rightly thanked them for what they've done and been fulsome in his praise," manager Gareth Southgate said at the time.
