SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

CoronavirusPrince & Princess of Wales

Prince William talks football and announces new name for FA Cup Final

William, Duke of Cambridge

The Duke of Cambridge announced last week that the FA Cup Final for 2020 has been renamed the Heads Up FA Cup Final in honour of the Heads Up mental health campaign he launched in 2019.

William joined several Arsenal first-team players as well as the team’s Head Coach, Mikel Arteta, and Academy Manager, Per Mertesacker, on a video call to announce the news. During the conversation, they also discussed the importance of recognising and treating men’s mental health.

“I am really pleased that you guys are coming back to football soon. You’re probably desperate to get back on the pitch and everyone is desperate to see some football again,” the Duke told the players.

“You’ll provide the nation with a much-needed relief and boost for their mental health seeing some football back again so it’s really good news.”

The football season is set to resume following a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Heads Up FA Cup Final set for 1 August. William launched the Heads Up mental health campaign in 2019, and it has been following the football season, with plans to culminate at the final.

Heads Up, the Royal Foundation website notes “has striven to raise awareness, spark conversation and signpost support for those in need, highlighting to the nation that we all have mental health and it is just as important as physical health.”

William said about the renamed FA Cup Final that “we’re going to really use the Final as a moment to promote good, positive mental health for everyone. It’s quite timely bearing in mind what we’ve all been through with this pandemic.

“I think there’s going to be, sadly, a lot of repercussions from this in society, not just in football, in terms of people’s mental health. Hopefully, the FA Cup can be a bit of a pivot that people can rally around.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.