Michael Sheen gave his brutal take on Prince William’s visit (Picture: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Michael Sheen has brutally spoken out on Prince William’s decision to send off the England football team ahead of the World Cup, describing it as ‘entirely inappropriate’ due to his title as Prince of Wales.
The Good Omens actor, who previously asked whether the title means anything to the royals, reacted to a video of William presenting the England team with their tournament squad numbers before they flew to Qatar.
William joined the squad at St George’s Park on Tuesday and also told them: ‘I’m really here to point out that the rest of the country is behind you, we’re all rooting for you, enjoy it.’
Welsh native Michael tweeted the video, saying: ‘He can, of course, support whoever he likes and as Pres of FA his role makes visit understandable – but surely he sees holding the title Prince of Wales at same time is entirely inappropriate?
‘Not a shred of embarrassment? Or sensitivity to the problem here? #PrinceofWales.’
The Three Lions were seen leaving their training ground and and boarding a plane to the Middle East, ready for their match with Iran on Monday which will kick off the tournament for them.
The Welsh team are also headed to Qatar and will play England on November 29.
Michael, who has made his support for the Welsh team clear, previously spoke out about the title of Prince of Wales, after King Charles made his first visit to Wales as the new monarch on September 16, Owain Glyndŵr Day.
The day is celebrated as an unofficial holiday by many in Wales, after Owain Glyndŵr was proclaimed as Prince of Wales by his followers on September 16, 1400, during the Welsh revolt.
Prince William and his family at the finals of the Euros in 2020 (Picture: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Michael said at the time: ‘To choose this day, September the 16th to come here as his first visit, seems full of meaning. On the one hand, if it’s chosen, deliberately, then I’m sure many people will feel that that is quite an insult to those that celebrate Owain Glyndwr who tried to free this nation from the oppression of the English monarch at the time.
‘And having been told that the new Prince of Wales would take on those titles with a great sense of humility, and respect, and celebrate the history, the proud history and traditions, of Wales, and it’s quite surprising to see.
‘If it was done on purpose it seems insensitive to the point of insult. And if it wasn’t done on purpose – if it was done accidentally without realising what that day was – then one does wonder what being Prince of Wales was so long actually meant if you were not aware of what that day means.’
Prince William was made Prince of Wales when his father Charles became King.
He met with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford shortly afterwards, with a statement reading: ‘The Prince acknowledged his and the Princess’s deep affection for Wales, having made their first family home in Anglesey including during the earliest months of Prince George’s life.
‘The Prince and Princess will spend the months and years ahead deepening their relationship with communities across Wales. They want to do their part to support the aspirations of the Welsh people and to shine a spotlight on both the challenges and opportunities in front of them.’
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‘Not a shred of embarrassment? Or sensitivity to the problem here?’
