Questioned Amidst Saudi Visit 

The Prince of Wales was questioned about the Epstein scandal after joining a kickabout with young female footballers on day two of his visit to Saudi Arabia. As the heir to the throne departed an engagement, a broadcast journalist shouted across a football pitch: “Sir, to what extent do you think the royal family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein scandal?”

It was unclear whether or not the prince heard the question, but his focus remained on his conversation with a Saudi women’s football pioneer. The question came a day after both Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace shared statements highlighting the King and William and Kate’s concern over the growing scandal. Aides to the Prince in Riyadh stressed that he had a job to do and was getting on with it.

Football Fun and a “Royal Mishap” 

William had been meeting young girls aged 10-15 from youth squads in Riyadh as they took part in training drills on the pitch at MISK Sports City. He was accompanied by Saudi minister of sport Prince Abdulaziz and Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and a member of the FIFA Women’s Club Competitions Committee, who gave him an overview of women’s football in the country.

The future King wasted no time in playing a game of football. William is known to be a huge fan of the sport and supports Aston Villa. During the session, in a moment that quickly went viral, netizens dubbed this a “royal mishap,” a hilarious and embarrassing moment when Prince William was challenged to kick a ball against the crossbar. In his enthusiastic attempt, he slipped and fell!  Luckily, there were no health problems for Prince William, and he was quick to laugh off the moment with the young players.

After posing for a group photograph, which ended with the shout, “1, 2, 3, Saudia!”, the girls gathered around the prince to ask some questions. “Did Princess Kate come with you?” asked one, giving a disappointed “Oh!” when William said she didn’t.

Told he should bring his family to Saudi Arabia, he replied: “They would love it here. Will you show them how to play football? My children love football, but you guys are another level.

“I can see you guys will be at the World Cup very soon and then you’re going to make me feel very old.”

Thoughtful Gifts and Sporting Support 

The girls presented him with a Saudi national shirt to take home, plus smaller versions for each of his children, George, Charlotte and Louis, with their names emblazoned on the back. As he departed, he told officials, “My children love sport so the more they can get involved and get more active, the better.”

William spoke with a group of young female footballers during his visit to MISK Sports City in Riyadh to learn about the increasing role of women in society and in particular their growing participation in sport. William was presented with a thoughtful gift – a Saudi national shirt to take home, and matching ones for George, Charlotte and Louis.

Addressing the Epstein Scandal 

The Prince of Wales is midway through a three-day Saudi visit. The royal family have attempted to draw a line under the recent Epstein crisis and before the visit on Monday, the Prince and Princess of Wales issued their first public statement about the Epstein scandal.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “I can confirm that the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”

Women’s Football on the Rise 

Women have been allowed to attend football games since 2017, the same year that physical education was included in the curriculum at girls’ schools. Lamia Bahaian began playing football aged five. “The majority of my life I played with boys, I didn’t know girls were playing football, until Vision 2030 came and they gave all of this opportunity for these young girls’ generation.

“Football is evolving massively which I personally [am] very proud of. We have all the opportunities to shine in the near future, just like the Lionesses, so hopefully one day we can compete with them and just teach that level. They’ve been a benchmark for us since we started this five years ago.”

“Was it not lonely for you, being one of the few women players?” William asked her. “Absolutely, but once I got to my teenage years, I got to know a small group of women who played football without me even knowing. So almost we said, ‘I’m playing football, you’re playing football, let’s do this together.’ And we created a community.

“Sometimes I get really jealous,” admitted Lamia. “What if these opportunities had been here 20 years ago, I would have been in the World Cup or something. But this is an opportunity.”