12 July 2024

The King has clearly been watching the football. He sent a word of congratulation to Gareth Southgate and the England team congratulating them on reaching the final of the UEFA European Championship. They play Spain, the favourites, on Sunday.

‘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!’

I liked his humour and his references to the games played. The drama surrounding the five penalties won in the penalty shootout against Switzerland was very intense. And the goal scored by Ollie Watkins in the 90th minute of the Dutch game was unbelievable.

He and Cole Palmer were last minute substitutes. Before going onto the pitch, Watkins said to Palmer, ‘Set up a goal for me!’ And that’s exactly what he did. This wasn’t solely the outcome of a heroic action on Watkins’ part but a strategy which was embedded into the team. The honour belongs to them all.

Interestingly, Sir Keir Starmer watched part of the game during the NATO summit alongside the Dutch Prime Minister. As they turned to go, they each shook hands. Starmer is a footballer. He knows the language. It transcends national borders and establishes friendships. Diplomacy like football is an international game.

In his letter of congratulation, the King demonstrated how football could bring a nation together. This surely extends beyond the English boundaries to the whole UK. Seeing our nation through the lens of a community of shared interests and values, sporting or otherwise,  creates harmony and joy.

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