Prince of Wales speaks to footballers about mental health
He's spoken to England stars Harry Kane and Declan Rice about their shared love for football and the life lessons it has taught them over the years
The Prince of Wales has spoken with England stars Harry Kane and Declan Rice about their shared love for football and the life lessons it has taught them over the years.
William and the World Cup hopefuls open up about their fondest football memories and the ways it has bolstered their mental wellbeing during a 25-minute video available on YouTube.
The episode is hosted by Kelvyn Quagraine, and organised by football media company, Copa90, with the Royal Foundation.
During their conversation, William, a keen Aston Villa fan, credits football with teaching him that "disappointment is a part of life", and highlights the work of Shout, the free and confidential 24/7 text messaging service for people struggling with their mental health.
He said: "You learn by playing a number of times and many other things in life that disappointment is part of life and how you handle it is crucial.
"Handling some of those really disappointing England results in the past, that was hard, I found that really difficult, because again the same euphoria that we had comes crashing down.
"You feel high and all together, and then normal life just gets on again."
William added that he has a "lot of friends" he met through playing football in his youth.
"Some of the greatest friendships are born from playing games and being pushed together in slight adversity," he said.
William: 'I was told told to just tackle'
The prince also recalled playing four simultaneous games of football with his entire set at school - around 60 pupils - using multiple balls.
He told the football stars: "The sheer size and scale and just the fun of everyone running around chasing each other, I loved it.
"I was a defender, I was stuck at the back and told to just tackle."
The prince said he looked to former England defender Rio Ferdinand for "inspiration" when he was playing football at school.
William joked: "He was ahead of me just a little bit as time went on."
Spurs striker Kane remembered his father giving him £5 after he scored his first goal when he was five years old, and spoke about the Harry Kane Foundation, which has partnered with Shout.
The England captain said: "I've just launched a foundation which is really exciting for me.
"My aim is to, especially to the younger generation, talk to them and try and provide ways of talking about mental health and wellbeing.
"The more we talk about it, and open up, it will definitely help solve and hopefully encourage people not to be afraid to ask for help, especially when you are feeling a little bit lower."
West Ham captain Rice said that as a child he loved playing football with his older brothers, and explained how England's loss in the Euros final last year brought the squad closer together.
Declan Rice: 'togetherness after Euros defeat'
Speaking about the final against Italy, the England midfielder said: "There was a special moment after that game, the togetherness when we all come in a huddle after we'd lost that, and Gareth said some really important words.
"As a group, I think that brought us forward together because then we had to qualify for a World Cup in the next round of games.
"We really overcame that setback of losing that final, showed our togetherness and our strength and I feel that we are in a really good place as a national team that we can keep pushing and getting better because the togetherness we've built is really special to be a part of."
Ed Groves, managing editor at Copa90, said he hoped their conversation would remind people of "the power of talking when dealing with their mental health".
"As football fans we can experience every emotion possible within 90 minutes," he said.
"But while we all crave basking in collective glory, we need to remember to support each other through the harder moments - in football and in life."
Mr Groves encouraged fans to come together to watch Qatar 2022 matches.
Prince William: A life in pictures
Prince William was born to Prince Charles and Princess Diana in June 21st 1982. At birth, he was second in line to the throne.
On September 15th 1984, William's brother, Prince Harry, was also born to the Royal couple.
William spent his early education at Wetherby School in 1987 and then in Ludgrove School in 1990. He would later study at Eton College in 1995.
Prince William's mother, Princess Diana, died in August 31st 1997. William was 15 years old at the time.
In 2000, William took a gap year and spent time doing community and conservation work in Chile, Kenya and New Zealand.
In 2006, William entered and graduated from the Sandhurst Military Academy. In the photograph, William was marching during the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, southern England December 15, 2006.
In 2010, William completed pilot training in the RAF Search and Rescue Force. He remained with the service and flew rescue missions. William later ended his military service in 2013 to spend more time on royal commitments and charity work.
Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding took place on Friday 29th April 2011. William had met Kate whilst studying and had proposed during a holiday in Kenya.
William and Kate's eldest son George Alexander Louis was born on July 22, 2013.
William and Kate's daughter Charlotte was born on May 2nd, 2015.
William and Kate's youngest son Prince Louis was born on April 23rd 2018.
In 2022, Prince William attended all Platinum Jubilee events.
On September 19th, Prince William attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
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