Prince George comforted by William and Kate after seeing England lose on penalties

Rebecca Taylor

Watch: Prince George reacts to England’s defeat at Euro 2020 final

Prince George was comforted by his mother and father as he forlornly watched England losing the Euro 2020 to Italy on penalties.

The young prince, seven, had been allowed to attend the historic match on Sunday with his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, despite it being an 8pm kick-off.

He looked thrilled with the opening goal from Luke Shaw, and was spotted laughing and celebrating alongside William, who had jumped out of his seat and then embraced his oldest son.

George then turned to his mum who also gave him a hug after the opener.

But the schoolboy's celebrations turned to sadness, along with the rest of England, as the team were unable to do enough to lift the trophy.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and President of the Football Association (FA) are seen in the stands prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge was seen stroking George's head as he looked sadly down onto the pitch. (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and President of the Football Association (FA) are seen in the stands prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Prince William with his hands on his son George's shoulders at Wembley stadium. (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA via Getty Images)

Read more: Prince William 'sickened' by racist abuse of three England players

Kate could be seen stroking George's hair as he gazed mournfully over the side of the box and onto the pitch.

The three Cambridges stood together after the match with William's hands on George's shoulders.

Many noted that Prince George's face was representative of how the nation was feeling as the hope of winning the trophy was ripped away.

Earlier in the evening George had looked much more relaxed than during his first Wembley trip, and was spotted singing the national anthem as he sat in between his parents.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge shows her dejection at the end of the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Kate showed her dejection at the end of the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England as she put her head in her hands. (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Prince George of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and President of the Football Association (FA) are seen in the stands prior to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Final between Italy and England at Wembley Stadium on July 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Kate leaned in to talk to her son during the match. (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) (Eamonn McCormack - UEFA via Getty Images)

After the first goal, the BBC's Dan Walker tweeted: "Prince George LOVED it."

Capital DJ James Hall tweeted: "Seeing the connection between Prince William and Prince George watching the game/celebrating together has made the Euros for me."

But George's downcast face was described as a "whole mood" by many on Twitter as Gareth Southgate's side lost on penalties.

George, who goes to school at Thomas's Battersea, was wearing a suit for the match, as he did when he attended England v Germany with the duke and duchess.

While the formal outfit surprised some people, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli revealed that during an afternoon tea with Kate, she found out there had been some debate over what the schoolboy should wear.

Britain's Catherine (L), Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge (C), and Britain's Prince William (R), Duke of Cambridge, are seen during the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London on July 11, 2021. (Photo by Frank Augstein / POOL / AFP) (Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
George was taken to the final by his parents despite the late kick-off time. (Frank Augstein/AFP via Getty Images) (FRANK AUGSTEIN via Getty Images)
Guests, including Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, are seen before the UEFA EURO 2020 final football match between Italy and England at the Wembley Stadium in London on July 11, 2021. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
William was there as president of the FA, but was able to take George and Kate to join him. (Paul Ellis/AFP) (PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images)

Bartoli said on Radio 5 Live on Sunday: "Yesterday I had an afternoon tea with the duchess and it was very much a discussion whether George will be allowed to wear the jersey tonight at Wembley or not.

"William was for it, Kate not so keen, so we'll see."

After the match, William sent a personal message, saying: "Heartbreaking. Congratulations @Azzurri on a great victory.

"@England, you’ve all come so far, but sadly this time it wasn’t our day. You can all hold your heads high, and be so proud of yourselves — I know there’s more to come. W."

Southgate revealed William spoke to the team as well, offering them "fulsome praise".

Watch: Prince George Has the Cutest Reaction to England's Goal at Euro 2020

Advertisement