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Prince William visits the England football squad in Manchester

31st May 2006

Prince William visited the England football squad in Manchester as President of the Football Association to wish them well for their World Cup campaign.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson introduced the players to William during a training session for England’s final warm-up friendly against Jamaica on Saturday.

The occasion was relaxed and as the Prince joked and chatted with the squad he was even treated to Peter Crouch's body-popping celebration dance.

The players persuaded the 6ft 7ins striker to show his robotic moves.

William burst out laughing and then shook his hand.

The Liverpool centre forward’s trademark shuffle was first seen in public on Tuesday after he scored England's third goal in the victory over Hungary at Old Trafford.

William arrived shortly after the session began and met injured striker Wayne Rooney who was watching his team-mates in action.

He also chatted on the touchline with young fans who had won a competition to watch the training session.

England’s World Cup squad fly to Germany on Monday for the tournament which starts on Friday next week.

Yesterday, Clarence House announced that Prince William is to attend the England v Paraguay game on 10th June in Germany.

It will be the first England game for the future king since he became President of the FA.

Before the Paraguay match he will meet England fans at the stadium in Frankfurt, along with local dignitaries and stadium officials.

Prince William attended his first event as President of the FA at the FA Cup final in Cardiff last month when he presented the FA cup to Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium.

Last October he visited Charlton Athletic’s training ground to see the club’s community initiatives first-hand and to train with the first team.