The BBC presenter questioned if the royal would miss a men’s World Cup final (Picture: Shutterstock/Prince and Princess of Wales)
Gabby Logan has joined the chorus of people expressing their disappointment over Prince William not being present at the Women’s World Cup final in Australia to support the England team.
On Sunday August 20, the mighty Lionesses were sadly defeated by Spain at the final hurdle, with fans singing the praises of standout stars including sensational goalkeeper Mary Earps, who saved a penalty during the game.
While Queen Letizia of Spain was at the stadium to support her nation’s players, presenting the winning side with their medals after they were crowned victorious, Prince William – who is President of the Football Association (FA) – was not.
Prior to the final, the Prince of Wales released a video message alongside his eight-year-old daughter Prince Charlotte wishing the Lionesses good luck, in which he addressed his absence by stating: ‘Lionesses, I want to send you a huge good luck for tomorrow.
‘We’re sorry we can’t be there in person but we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved and the millions you’ve inspired here and around the world. So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.’
While some including Dan Walker have defended the 41-year-old royal for not making the journey to Australia, others have shared their disappointment in the move.
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During a conversation on BBC’s Newscast before the final took place, presenter Gabby, 50, said: ‘I have to say I’m disappointed that Prince William isn’t going with his role at the FA and the history that is going to happen and be created, one way or the other.
‘I just wonder would neither of those people come to a men’s World Cup final, would Britain not be represented by at least one of those two figures at a men’s World Cup final and I can’t help but thinking that they would be there.’
The BBC commentator added: ‘I don’t know what prior engagements that can’t be moved or if there’s something that’s enormously important that is getting in the way of this, but it does feel like we should have somebody of national [importance].’
Piers Morgan, 58, also said that in his opinion, it was ‘ridiculous’ that Prince William wasn’t going to be there in his role as President of the FA, while the Queen of Spain would be.
Queen Letizia of Spain of Spain was in attendance at the game (Picture: Mark Baker/AP)
The Lionesses left everything they had on the pitch (Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Goalkeeper Mary Earps was undeniably one of the standouts of the match (Picture: Elsa/FIFA via Getty Images)
He added in a follow-up tweet: ‘If it was the men’s team, he’d be there faster than I sprint to McDonald’s when the craving gets too much.’
Good Morning Britain’s Adil Ray said that it felt like a ‘huge error of judgement from the Royal Family’.
‘Nobody in attendance at one of the biggest sporting moments in the history of the United Kingdom. Nothing bigger. Their absence without any official explanation is bizarre,’ the 49-year-old wrote.
Gabby also recently criticised the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino for suggesting that it’s up to women to ‘choose their battles’ in the fight for footballing equality.
‘He said “choose your battles”, which seems a ridiculous and reductive thing to say especially at this time at this successful World Cup, which in many ways has come in spite of FIFA,’ she remarked in response to his comments.
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The BBC presenter questioned if the royal would miss a men’s World Cup final.