Prince William may have just scored major “cool dad” points with his kids — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — thanks to a very special moment at Windsor Castle.
On Wednesday, June 25, the Prince of Wales led an investiture ceremony where he officially knighted Gareth Southgate for his contributions to English football.
Southgate, who previously played the game professionally, went on to lead England’s national team as manager, taking them to the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup, the finals of Euro 2020, the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, and most recently, the final of Euro 2024.
The Royal Kids Are All Soccer Fans
William’s three children are known to be avid soccer enthusiasts. Prince George, 11, even joined his father in person to cheer for England at the Euro 2024 final, while Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, supported the team from home, dressed in personalized jerseys.
Prince William has previously admitted that his children play a surprising role in his match-day rituals. In an interview with The Sun earlier this year, he shared:
“If I’m home alone with the children, I probably don’t have the pre-match pint, but I do have a bit of superstition about where I sit when I’m watching them.”
He added, “If we’re not doing very well, I start moving round the house quite quickly, and I put the children in different positions hoping that’s going to change our luck.”
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A Meaningful Ceremony with Southgate
The investiture was particularly special for William, who served as president of the Football Association for nearly two decades before becoming its patron last year. During the ceremony, Southgate knelt before the Prince, who used a sword to tap him on the shoulders — the traditional act of knighting. William then presented him with a medal, and the two shared a brief exchange.
Kensington Palace commemorated the moment with a video on social media, captioned:
“Congratulations Sir Gareth Southgate on a well-deserved knighthood. From your Crystal Palace debut to being England Manager. Thank you for everything you’ve done for football.”
Speaking after the ceremony, the 54-year-old Southgate said, “I’m a proud Englishman, a proud British man, and to join such an amazing list of people who’ve received this honor and to be recognized by your country in a way like this is a very special moment for me — and especially for my family as well.”
The honor was officially bestowed upon “Sir Gareth Southgate, from Harrogate, lately Manager, England National Football Team,” during the ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Stepping Away from the Spotlight
After stepping down from his managerial role following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Southgate admitted to BBC Sport that he’s content being out of the spotlight.
“It is a little bit strange, but also I’m not missing it,” he said. “I think it’s important that I am on that sofa and out of their way, you know. It’s theirs to take on now, and I think it’s important that I give the team as much space as possible.”