Lionesses

Prince William and Princess Charlotte have wished England's Lionesses good luck as they prepare to take on Germany in the final of Euro 2022.

"That is all down to you and what you have already achieved. They’re the stories I want to hear - they’re powerful, they’re inspiring." In an endearing video message, Prince William said: "We both want to wish the Lionesses the best of luck for tonight. Hopefully, Prince William along with the Cambridge children will be there." I want to read about how it’s helped young girls who now play football. In a letter addressed to manager Sarina Wiegman, captain Leah Williamson and the England team, outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson also wished the side "all the very best of luck" in the final "on behalf of the whole country". He said: "Your passion for the game, your tenacity in tricky spots and above all your astounding talent on the pitch have already created a summer of fantastic memories for millions of us. The National Lottery isn’t just about big wins and making winners astonishingly rich. It’s put £50million into the women’s and girls’ game. Royal fans urged William to take Charlotte to the final, with one writing: "It would be great if Prince William and The Duchess of Cambridge would take Princess Charlotte to watch the match and support the #Lionesses." While another said: "Congratulations to the lionesses on making it to the Euro final at Wembley stadium on July 31st. Princess Charlotte has wished the Lionesses luck in a sweet video message ahead of the final of the Euros as the nation rallies behind the England team.

The team has also received messages of support from Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer, and Harry Kane.

Start your Independent Premium subscription today. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply. By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply. In a letter addressed to manager Sarina Wiegman, captain Leah Williamson and the England team, the Prime Minister also wished the side “all the very best of luck” in the final “on behalf of the whole country”.

Princess Charlotte has told England's Lionesses 'I hope you win' in an adorable video with dad, Prince William, before the Euro final.

And so, when the referee’s whistle blows tonight, I hope that you are every bit as proud of yourselves as England is of you.’ The fourth in line to the throne is a known football fan and previously told the Lionesses that she’s ‘really good in goal’. In the recorded message, the Duke of Cambridge said: ‘We both want to wish the Lionesses the best of luck for tonight.

JACQUI OATLEY: The Germans were fitter and stronger, with a steely mentality that England weren't able to match yet. Though they weren't full-time ...

A decade ago, the women's football competition of the London Olympics was hailed as a breakthrough tournament. But boy, it was a lonely experience and the scrutiny which accompanied my debut commentary on Match of the Day was incredibly difficult to navigate, the nation clearly still mistrusting of a female voice. Today marks the latest landmark on a long journey towards respect and the holy grail of self-sustainability. Attitudes towards women's football in the UK still reeked of misogyny, a hangover from the 50-year FA ban on women's football, which ended only in 1971. But I didn't suffer from 'imposter syndrome'. I had a right to be in the commentary box. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and it crushed my confidence for a while. Now they debate the contrasting merits of Ellen White and Alessia Russo with authority and gusto. Only at that point, when everyone realised that England were in a major football final, was coverage required. The Germans were fitter and stronger, with a steely mentality that England weren't able to match yet. Few had paid attention to England until the final. That was the last time England's women reached a major final. The date is etched in my memory: September 10, 2009.

The Duke was joined by his daughter, Princess Charlotte, as the pair paid tribute to the Lionesses.

Sir Keir added: “As a parent, I know how vital it is to see strong, successful role models in sport. The prime minister said: “Your passion for the game, your tenacity in tricky spots, and above all your astounding talent on the pitch have already created a summer of fantastic memories for millions of us. In the video, William, 40, with Princess Charlotte on his lap, praises the Lionesses for getting to the final, before finishing the video, Charlotte says “good luck and I hope you win” as she waves to the camera.

Star Ellen - England Women's all-time leading scorer, with 50 goals in 105 appearances - was speaking ahead of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 while meeting ...

Her older sister Amy also started out at Norwich City, but unfortunately, her career was cut short by knee injuries and ligament damage. She also worked as a fitness instructor while playing for her first club Doncaster Belles. She played as the only girl in a team of boys at Fred Longworth High School and has admitted she still goes back to the school in her own time and plays football with some of the teachers. I’m just there to play football." They’re the stories I want to hear - they’re powerful, they’re inspiring." The striker has played in more than 100 England games to date and played at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where she was the only member of Team GB to score. She graduated from the Arsenal Academy in 2013 and continued her success and has since represented England in every age group from the under 15s up to the senior side. Several times a week she would have attacks in the night and end up in hospital before she was finally given a steroid machine to help her at home. I want to read about how it’s helped young girls who now play football. Days later Daly played in a World Cup qualifying match for England against Luxembourg, she came off the bench in the match and scored a goal - which she dedicated to her father. Bronze started playing football as a child, getting her first pair of football boots aged 10 and in her last year of primary school, she played as the only girl in a team of boys. She's also won a number of awards during her career, being named BBC Women's Footballer of the Year in 2018 and 2020, UEFA Women's Player of the Year in 2019 and The Best FIFA Women's Player in 2020.