PRINCE WILLIAM TO ATTEND EURO FINAL IN BERLIN

LONDON, July 13 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- Britain's Prince William will attend Sunday's Euro 2024 final in Berlin to watch England take on Spain, Kensington Palace has confirmed.

William, who is president of the Football Association (FA), also attended the side's quarter-final victory over Switzerland on Saturday and the group stage game against Denmark.

He congratulated England after their semi-final victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday through Ollie Watkins' late winner.

In a personally signed message on social media, William wrote: "What a beauty, Ollie! Congratulations England! #EURO2024 Finalists. W."

William, a supporter of Watkins' club side Aston Villa, was seen cheering on England throughout the game in the stands at the Dusseldorf Arena during the match against Switzerland.

After the game, he called the match "nail-biting to the very end" in a post on social media.

King Charles has also congratulated the England men's football team on reaching the final of Euro 2024 - but urged them to avoid more last-minute drama.

In a message to Gareth Southgate's side following the Three Lions' 2-1 win against the Netherlands, the king sent the players the royal family's "very best wishes" and "warmest congratulations."

But the King quipped about the recent drama endured by England fans, including a last-gasp equaliser against Slovakia and a penalty triumph against Switzerland, asking them to watch out for the "nation's collective heart rate and blood pressure."

Charles said: "My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the UEFA European Championship - and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday's match.

"If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last-minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation's collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated! Good luck, England."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has refused to commit to an extra bank holiday if England secures victory, saying he did not want to "jinx anything" by pre-empting the result of Sunday's final.

But he did suggest there would be some form of celebration if England wins its first major men's football tournament since 1966.

Starmer, who was able to watch some of the semi-finals while attending a NATO summit in Washington DC, has confirmed he will also attend Sunday's final in Berlin.

-BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa