Prince George stole the limelight as he joined his parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to watch England play Germany in the European Football Championship tonight.
The young royal, seven, dressed in a smart suit and tie similar to his father’s, made a surprise appearance alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton, both 39, at Wembley Stadium this evening for the Euro 2020 last-16 clash.
It was a big moment for George, who only steps into the spotlight with his parents on select occasions, as he enjoyed his first England game, while his sister Princess Charlotte, six, and brother Prince Louis, three, most likely stayed at home.
The young prince, who is an avid football fan like his father, amused fans when he mumbled shyly while the stadium joined together with the players to sing God Save the Queen, as some pointed out the song was about his great-grandmother.
Cute moment! Prince George stole the show as he joined his parents to watch England play Germany in the European Football Championship tonight, pictured
Family affair! The young royal (picture centre front), seven, was spotted singing the national anthem with his parents Prince William and Kate
Famous faces: The family were spotted chatting to former footballer David Beckham (pictured left speaking with Prince George) and his son Romeo Beckham
For the occasion, George, who was spotted talking to former footballer David Beckham during the evening, donned a smart suit just like his father Prince William, with a similar tie in pink and blue teamed with a light blue shirt underneath.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge showed her support in the colours of the England strip as she sported a vibrant red £59.99 Zara blazer for the occasion alongside a white top.
At the start of the match, Prince George seemingly failed to hide his impatience while waiting for the game to begin – and also didn’t seem too sure about singing God Save The Queen with the rest of the crowd.
The Cambridges’ eldest son looked away while his parents sang the national anthem, perhaps feeling a bit shy about singing with all eyes on him.
The third-in-line for the throne stood confidently between his two parents, pictured, impatient for the game to start
Sat between his father and his mother, George poked his head out to get a good look at the pitch as fans sat down to enjoy the game, pictured
As the game went on, Prince George put on an animated display during close calls with the German team getting dangerously close to the goals
Some royal fans dubbed his attitude ‘relatable,’ as the nation prepared to watch the Three Lions in action. ‘Prince George is so relatable,’ one fan joked. ‘”Not that song about granny again!”,’ another said. ‘Bless him,’ wrote on with a laughing emoji.
George attended his first live game with his father to watch Aston Villa play against Norwich City in October 2019.
Then, for his fifth birthday picture that same year, the young prince was photographed in his Three Lions T-shirt by his doting mother at Kensington Palace during the England ‘lionesses’ World Cup campaign.
At the time, it was understood to be one of his favourite items of clothing and George could frequently be seen running around the grounds of his home with a football at his feet.
Reaction: Royal fans found young Prince George’s attitude during the anthem amusing and said he was ‘so relatable’
George’s hair was parted to the side for his night out. The young royal only joins his parents in the spotlight for some select appearances
The devoted fan of the game also celebrated his sixth birthday by inviting his whole class at Thomas Battersea to a football-themed party ahead of the end of term in 2019.
In 2020, it was revealed that Prince George played in a local football team during term time, and had again celebrated his seventh birthday with a football-themed party.
Vanity Fair’s royal editor Katie Nicholl had anonymous sources tell her at the time: ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if his birthday has a football theme. George is football crazy and actually a very good player. During term time he plays for a local team and Will and Kate are often there to cheer him on.’
Doting father Prince William pointed his son’s attention to the players during the game as a beaming George seemed engrossed in the Germany vs England confrontation
The young royal applauded the national anthem ahead of the game, but seemed impatient for the players to get to the pitch
For tonight’s game, Kate’s stylish ensemble consisted of a textured double-breasted blazer from one of the royal’s favourite High Street brands, Zara. The long sleeve jacket boasts a lapel collar, pronounced shoulders and front flap pockets, alongside glitzy golden buttons.
She teamed the statement garment with a white top and black trousers, while sporting eye-catching pearl drop earrings. The mother-of-three finished her fashionable look with a smattering of glamorous makeup and kept her hair in bouncy curled locks.
Around 45,000 fans have been allowed into the stadium to watch Gareth Southgate’s squad battle the Germans for a place in the quarter-finals. Millions more are expected to head to their local – with some even hitting the boozers from as early as 7am this morning.
Today, both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer urged employers to authorise an early finish for workers ahead of the blockbuster and scores of people have taken to social media to express their joy at the swift getaway.
Singer Ed Sheeran, who’s just released a new single, joined the royal family in Wembley’s corporate box, wearing a Three Lions T-shirt – for his sixth birthday in 2019, George was photographed by his mother Kate in a similar top
Like father like son! Football fan William seemed focused as he followed the intense game, with George’s eyes glued to the pitch
Doting father William put a protective hand on his son ahead of the game as the royals prepared to sit down to enjoy the show, pictured
One supporter tweeted: ‘Finished work early, straight home, shower, get me England shirt on, straight to the pub.’ Another added: ‘Work letting me finish early to watch England? Might get the cans out.’
Tonight’s match is one of the most anticipated in recent memory, with fan parks sold out and more than five million pints expected to be bought.
The Three Lions have been uninspiring but effective en route to the last-16, claiming seven points from nine in Group D with two wins and a draw, which saw England net just twice, though conceding none.
In Germany, they face their first major test of the tournament. Joachim Low’s side squeezed through Group F eventually finishing as runners-up behind France, who are now out after their defeat to Switzerland on Monday night.
England and Germany are certainly no strangers in cup competition. The Three Lions claimed their one and only World Cup triumph with victory over tonight’s opponents in 1966, thanks to Geoff Hurst’s historic hat-trick.
There was also the Frank Lampard goal that never was as Germany knocked England out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Southgate, in particular, will also remember missing the crucial penalty as Germany beat England in the Euro ’96 semi-final, before going on to win the tournament.
Earlier today, Prince William – known as the Earl of Strathearn when in Scotland- visited the BAE Systems yard in Govan, Glasgow, to meet the team building HMS Glasgow on the banks of the River Clyde.
He revealed his ‘delighted’ wife Kate has been appointed the sponsor of HMS Glasgow – after saying his late grandfather Prince Philip would have been ‘excited and fascinated’ by the skills on display at a shipyard.
The Duke of Cambridge, who joined his grandmother the Queen, 95, for part of Royal Week in Scotland, spoke movingly about the late Duke of Edinburgh after touring the warship under construction.
Red alert! The Duchess of Cambridge looked effortlessly elegant this afternoon when attending the England vs Germany football match alongside Prince William and their eldest son Prince George (pictured)
Radiant: Mother-of-three Kate (pictured) sported a vibrant red £59.99 Zara blazer, while William and George donned matching suits
Commanding attention: For tonight’s game, Kate’s stylish ensemble consisted of a textured double-breasted blazer from one of the royal’s favourite High Street brands, Zara
All lined up: Prince William leans down to chat with his son Prince George as they applaud prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between England and Germany
He also announced that the Duchess of Cambridge has become the sponsor of the Royal Navy frigate and will officially name her after the Queen approved her appointment to the role.
The royal said: ‘Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment of my wife Catherine as sponsor of the superb ship we see taking shape outside – HMS Glasgow. I know that Catherine will be delighted to join you here in Glasgow for the naming ceremony in due course.’
He added: ‘My family’s affection for the Royal Navy is well known, and, as I saw the work taking place here today, I was thinking of my grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh. He would have been fascinated and excited to see such advances in skills and technology being put into practice.’
Philip served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, had a long association with the service after leaving, and also had a passion for engineering.
Looking good: The Duchess of Cambridge’s long sleeve jacket boasts a lapel collar, pronounced shoulders and front flap pockets, alongside glitzy golden buttons
All about the details: Kate (pictured right) teamed the statement garment with a white top and black trousers, while sporting eye-catching pearl drop earrings
All smiles: Kate can’t help but beam as she arrives at Wembley Stadium in London ahead of the Euro 2020 match between England and Germany
Prince William eagerly displayed his knowledge of the sport as he pointed to show his son Prince George and the Duchess of Cambridge something on the pitch
Family bonding: Prince George took note of Prince William’s instructions as they spoke animatedly about the highly anticipated match
A round of applause: The royals erupted in applause as they joined others in Wembley’s corporate box to support the team
Smiles all round: Everyone in Wembley’s corporate box looked delighted as England took the lead in the match against Germany at Wembley stadium
Team effort: Prince George took time to look at others in the corporate box who were captivated by the football game