Queen praises England team ‘spirit and pride’ in good luck message

The Queen paid tribute to the “spirit, commitment and pride” of the England football team in a good luck message to Gareth Southgate ahead of the Euro 2020 final.

In a note to the team’s manager, the monarch sent her “good wishes” for Sunday’s game against Italy at Wembley Stadium.

The victory would mark the men’s soccer team’s first victory in a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup success, also at Wembley.

In her written message to the team, the Queen recalled presenting the Jules Rimet Trophy to Bobby Moore nearly six decades ago.

She said: “Fifty-five years ago I had the chance to present the World Cup to Bobby Moore and saw what it meant for the players, management and support staff at reach and win the final of a major international football tournament.

“I want to extend my congratulations to you and my family for reaching the final of the European Championships, and to send you my best wishes for tomorrow with the hope that history will record not only your success but also the spirit, commitment and pride with which you conducted yourself.

It comes as messages of support have been sent to the England squad across the country.

Sunday’s game could become the most-watched televised event in UK history – leading to a significant increase in demand for electricity as fans turn on the kettle or grab a beer from the fridge.

More than 33 million people are expected at home, in the pub or even at work to cheer as the national team try to win a major tournament for the first time in 55 years.

The total audience figure is expected to exceed the 26.7 million seen in the semi-final against Denmark on ITV on Wednesday, which was the largest for a single TV channel.

It is also likely to surpass 32.1 million viewers for Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 and the record-breaking 32.3 million for the 1966 World Cup final, which aired both on the BBC and ITV. Ladbrokes offers 4/5 ratings on a record TV audience.