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Prince William has personally congratulated England football star Harry Kane following his remarkable success at one of the sport’s most prestigious award ceremonies.
The 33-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur striker was crowned the winner of the Ballon d’Or on Monday evening, becoming the first English footballer to receive the coveted honour in 25 years.
The Prince of Wales, who is a passionate football supporter and serves as patron of the Football Association, celebrated Kane’s achievement with a special message on Instagram.
William praised the England captain for his outstanding accomplishment, describing the victory as a “fantastic achievement” and expressing his belief that the recognition was thoroughly deserved.
In his congratulatory post, the future King wrote:
“Huge congratulations to Harry Kane on winning the Ballon d’Or! What a fantastic achievement and so deserved.
Prince William concluded his heartfelt tribute to Harry Kane by highlighting the England captain’s exceptional talent, leadership and lasting contribution to football.
Signing the message with “W”, his personal initial, the Prince of Wales added:
“A brilliant captain, a remarkable player and someone who has given football fans across the world so many unforgettable moments.”
William also shared a celebratory post from England’s official account, which honoured Kane’s historic Ballon d’Or victory with the message:
“The best player in the world. Our 2026 Ballon d’Or winner: HARRY KANE.”
The future King has been a devoted Aston Villa supporter since childhood, and his enthusiasm for football has become something he shares with his eldest son, Prince George.
Over the years, the father and son have frequently been spotted cheering on their favourite team together, attending matches both in Britain and overseas.
Their joint appearances at football games have offered royal fans a glimpse of their close relationship and the sporting passion they share.
Harry Kane’s еvening of cеlebration
England captain Harry Kane was awarded the prestigious men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday evening, marking a memorable milestone in his football career.
During the ceremony at London’s Palladium Stadium, the England striker delivered an emotional acceptance speech in which he expressed his gratitude to those who had supported him, including his wife, Katie Goodland.
Speaking onstage, Kane revealed that receiving the honour in London made the occasion particularly meaningful.
“Being in London, it is extra special; it felt like a good omen,” he said.
He also acknowledged everyone who had voted for him, recognising the difficulty of selecting a winner from such an impressive field of footballers.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was tough, so thank you.”
Harry Kane paid an emotional tribute to his wife, Kate Goodland, during his acceptance speech, acknowledging the sacrifices she has made throughout his football career and the unwavering support she has given him.
Addressing his childhood sweetheart and closest companion, the England captain said:
“To my wife, Kate, my best friend. We’ve been through ups and downs for sure. You’re my biggest supporter. I actually felt like you wanted this more than me myself,” he continued. “You always want the best for me; you sacrifice yourself to help me achieve my dreams, and I know they’re your dreams as well, so it wouldn’t be possible without you. This is a trophy that we celebrate, not me.”
The Bayern Munich forward’s triumph marks a historic moment for English football, making him the first player from England to claim the prestigious individual honour since Michael Owen received the award in 2001.
Kane’s remarkable performances for both club and country played a major role in his success. The prolific striker scored an impressive 73 goals over the previous year, finishing ahead of fellow football stars Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal in the race for the coveted trophy.
First introduced in 1956, the Ballon d’Or has become one of football’s most celebrated individual distinctions, recognising the player considered the “best football player in the world”.
Footbаll fan Prince William’s wоrk with Harry Kane
Prince William has maintained a longstanding connection with English football through his involvement with the Football Association. The Prince of Wales currently serves as the organisation’s Patron, having previously held the position of President for 18 years before stepping down from that role in July 2024.
His relationship with England captain Harry Kane also extends beyond their shared passion for the sport.
The pair have previously joined forces on initiatives aimed at raising awareness of mental health, using football’s influence to encourage important conversations about emotional wellbeing.
William has also publicly shown his support for Kane during difficult moments in his career, including England’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the UEFA Euro 2024 final.
Throughout the years, the future King has continued to demonstrate his admiration for the England striker, celebrating his achievements while offering encouragement during challenging times.
The Prince of Wales’s latest public appearances come amid criticism surrounding the proposed sale of his Bradninch Estate in Devon, which forms part of the Duchy of Cornwall.
The decision has sparked concern among local residents, with some telling The Observer that they are worried about what the sale could mean for their homes, land and future livelihoods.
However, it is understood that existing tenants have been given the first opportunity to purchase their properties before they are offered to other buyers. Reports also suggest that eight of the nine affected tenants are currently involved in discussions about acquiring their land.
Meanwhile, William made an appearance on The Graham Norton Show over the weekend, joining a special edition of the popular television programme dedicated to highlighting The Earthshot Prize.
His appearance helped raise awareness ahead of the environmental awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place in Mumbai next month.
