Prince Harry Reacts to England's World Cup Loss in Just Two Words — Hours After Prince William
Prince Harry recently echoed the sentiments of British soccer fans after the team lost their semi-finals game against Argentina this week.
Wednesday is a child of woe, and British soccer fans would definitely agree, as England lost against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals this week. The 2-1 defeat on Wednesday ended the country’s hopes of winning its second World Cup this year. And Prince Harry recently gave his verdict on the heartbreaking loss, hours after his older brother Prince William expressed how 'gutted' he was.
The Duke of Sussex had attended the TIME 100 gala in New York on Thursday when a Page Six reporter asked him if he was sad about England’s defeat. He replied, “Of course”. While William is famously the torchbearer for soccer in the royal family, Harry is no less of a fan. However, neither of them has yet attended any match during the World Cup. The Prince of Wales had clarified earlier that he would only travel to the US if England reached the finals. Harry’s UK trip and work commitments might have taken priority over the coveted tournament.
On Thursday, William took to his Instagram stories to convey his heartbreak and appreciation for the Three Lions. “Gutted. England, you gave it everything, and we are all so proud of you. Thank you to everyone on and off the pitch for an incredible tournament. The fight and belief you have shown has inspired us all. The most complete England team in a tournament. Hold your heads high.”
Although both William and Harry are soccer fans, they support not only different but rival teams. On one hand, the Prince of Wales is a lifelong Aston Villa fan; the Duke reportedly supports Arsenal. In 2024, Harry remarked on Arsenal missing its first Champions League semi-final since 2009, saying, via The Mirror, “I know, let's not talk about it.” During a trip to New Zealand, he mentioned which club is more popular amongst the royals. “Most of the royal family are Arsenal fans,” he said.
This year, Harry made a comeback on the TIME 100 list by being named among the Most Influential People in Sports. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, dark blazer, and matching trousers, the Duke made a solo appearance on the red carpet. His wife, Meghan Markle, did not accompany him for the occasion. This is one of the most recent monumental moments for him in July. This month, he returned to the UK for the 2027 Invictus Games events, undertook public engagements, and even reunited with his father, King Charles, in a private meeting at Highgrove. Markle and the couple’s two kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were also part of the “private family occasion”.
Although William and Harry still may not see eye-to-eye on several things, they might find common ground in England’s recent defeat. The two brothers had watched the British take on Portugal in the quarter-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. However, the Three Lions had lost the game.
