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Prince William hosts Buckingham Palace’s first ever soccer game

Prince William hosts Buckingham Palace's first ever soccer game

Prince William showing off his ball skills.

In a few years he’ll no doubt join the leagues of parents taking their kids to soccer on the weekend but this Sunday, Prince William got to kick around a ball himself.

William, 31, hosted Buckingham Palace’s first ever match to mark the Football Association’s 150th anniversary.

Before the match, William — who is president of the FA — joked that he was glad the Queen was still on holiday in Scotland and unable to see them “trashing” her lawn.

“I cannot tell you how excited I am that later today we will be playing football on my grandmother’s lawn,” William said. “One warning, though: if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her.

“Another small silver lining to Her Majesty not being present today is that there shouldn’t be any corgis running onto the pitch!”

The game was contested by two of the oldest amateur clubs in England, Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC.

It was like any other weekend football match, with the exception of the half-time refreshments: orange wedges, water and mars bars were served on silver salvers by footmen in full royal livery.

Footmen serving half-time refreshments during the match.

During the second half of the match, William joined members of the Royal Household football squad for a training session.

He donned a navy blue tracksuit and bright orange shoes to show off his ball skills with staff from the palace and former England player Michael Owen.

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