The Duke of Cambridge has praised footballer Jill Scott after the Women’s Euro champion announced her retirement from the sport.
Scott shared the news of her retirement on Twitter, writing: “Right, we’re not crying. I promised myself. I’m retiring from football. And I’m leaving with a gold medal swinging from my neck.”
In a longer article for The Players Tribune, Scott wrote about her decision to retire from football, what she loves about the sport, that historic Women’s Euro final, and her friendship with William.
“I have a gold medal. I can’t stop looking at it, three weeks later. It’s so heavy. It’s so real. I keep dropping it, and I have to ask myself: Was I really there? Did this really happen? Did I really swear live on TV?? Did I really hug Prince William?
“I think he broke royal protocol when he gave us this big cuddle, but you could see it in his face — he was just so happy for us. He’s followed our journey all the way along. I just kept saying to him “I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it.”
She added: “When I got my MBE I never got to go to Buckingham Palace, because of Covid. Maybe now he can invite me back and he can present us with it.”
William quote tweeted Scott’s announcement from the Kensington Palace Twitter account, writing a personal message to England’s hero: “A pioneer of Women’s football and a great team player. @JillScottJS8 congratulations on a wonderful career, it’s been a pleasure to get to know you. Tiny bit pleased there won’t be any more slide tackles during ‘friendly’ kickabouts… W”
Scott has previously explained that she and William collided at a charity football match, recalling: “It stems back to about 10 years ago when we did a charity event and I slipped and side-tackled him and actually wiped him out.
“The running joke whenever he sees us is, ‘No yellow cards this tournament Jill!’”
