England’s football team is Germany-bound for the Euro 2024 tournament, and their captain, Harry Kane, received a special send-off from Prince William. The Prince of Wales visited St George’s Park on Monday, bearing personalized gifts for each of the 26 players.
The players had just returned from a weekend off, granted by manager Gareth Southgate, when Prince William arrived with some last-minute advice and a tongue-in-cheek suggestion from his son, Prince Louis, that the players “eat twice as much” to fuel their victory.
Kane’s package, in particular, held a special significance. It included his shirt, as well as a tribute to previous stars who wore the No. 9, such as Bobby Charlton, Alan Shearer, and Wayne Rooney. A large souvenir labeled “all-time goalscorer” celebrated Kane’s record of 63 goals for England, featuring photos of him as a youth playing for Ridgeway Rovers at Ridgeway Park.
Harry Kane received a special Euro 2024 package from Prince William.
The package revealed the previous players who wore the No. 9 shirt for England at the Euros.
The souvenir celebrated Kane as his country’s leading all-time goalscorer, featuring his youth team photo.
Kane is the eighth player to wear the No. 9 shirt for England at a European Championship, having also done so in 2016 and 2021. He failed to score in his first Euros in 2016 but netted four times in 2021 as England reached the final, only to lose to Italy on penalties.
Prince William also took time to chat with Kane, his fellow striker Ollie Watkins, and Jill Scott, who led the Lionesses to Euro glory in 2022. The players will soon depart for their German training base, the five-star Weimarer Land Spa and Golf Resort, where they will prepare for their tournament opener against Serbia on Sunday.
Prince William also presented personalized packages to England’s stars, including Jude Bellingham, ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Kane’s football journey began with Ridgeway Rovers.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal started his journey with Greenford Celtic.
Eberechi Eze’s grassroots club was Bruin JFC.
Ezri Konsa’s journey started with the Sunday league side Senrab.
Each player’s package included a souvenir showcasing their journey from their first club, such as Eberechi Eze’s Bruin JFC and Ezri Konsa’s Sunday league side Senrab.
William shared a lighthearted moment with Jill Scott, Kane, and Gareth Southgate.
William took a stroll with Scott, Kane, and Ollie Watkins.
William’s visit to the England training base was a boost to the team’s morale, and his conversation with Kane and Watkins was a highlight. The presence of Jill Scott, a Euro champion with the Lionesses, added to the positive atmosphere.
As the England team heads to Germany, they will be aiming to bring home the trophy and end their wait for tournament glory since 1966. Their first challenge will be Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.