England’s 1966 World Cup final hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst has slammed the Royal Family for not attending the Lionesses final in Australia.
Sir Geoff, who scored three goals in England’s famous 4-2 victory over Germany at Wembley said a member of the royal family ‘should definitely’ have attended the World Cup final.
Asked if a member of the royal family not attending was a mistake, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘Yes, I do.
‘I think if the royals attend the men’s game, they should definitely.
‘It’s an English team, a World Cup tournament, a member of the royal family should definitely have gone.
‘No argument at all about that.’
The Lionesses were heading back from Australia after their loss against Spain yesterday.
Prince William came under fire for not attending the match with people in the UK slamming the heir to the throne.
He received even further backlash after Spain’s Queen Letizia was seen at the match in Sydney.
William apologised in advance for not attending the final in a video message on Saturday.
Joined by his daughter Princess Charlotte who was clutching a football, the royal said: ‘Lionesses, we want to send you huge good luck for tomorrow
We are sorry we cannot be there in person but we are so proud of everything you have achieved and the millions you’ve inspired here and around the world.
‘So go out there tomorrow and really enjoy yourselves.’
There has been much speculation about the decision that many have branded as a ‘shame’.
Some reports suggest that King Charles, who is also Australia’s head of state, has yet to visit the country after succeeding his mother.
This means that William – who is currently on his annual summer break – cannot constitutionally visit before him.
Other reports said he made the decision not to go because a trip to would involve flying across the world for a very short period of time.
Former England goalkeeper Pauline Cope branded it a ‘shame’, saying: ‘I will not have any bad words against the royal family.
‘However this should have been pencilled in his diary from day dot, after we won the Euros and qualified for the World Cup.’
She also expressed disappointment that Rishi Sunak and Gareth Southgate had not travelled to Sydney for the Lionesses’ historic clash against Spain.
Cope, who has 60 England caps and played in the 1995 World Cup, told Times Radio: ‘Let’s be honest, if it was the men’s World Cup, they would all be here.’
Veteran broadcaster Jon Sopel similarly suggested it is ‘inconceivable’ that William, who is president of the FA, and the PM would not travel if it was the men’s team playing.
Sopel tweeted: ‘Happy to accept might be impossible for the PM, given other commitments. But Prince William? Why?’
TV presenter Piers Morgan also hit out at the royal: ‘With respect, YRH (Your Royal Highness), you should have got on a plane.
‘Ridiculous that the Queen of Spain is attending the World Cup Final to support her nation’s team, and you won’t be there despite being President of the FA.’
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