Prince Harry 'has been substituted for' Prince George in major royal Christmas tradition, insider reveals
SANDRINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM: Prince Harry seems to have handed over the reins to the next generation, as his nephew, Prince George, steps into a festive role he once shared with his older brother, Prince William.
The young royal joined his father in a beloved tradition—a pre-Christmas soccer match that delighted onlookers and marked their first father-son appearance on the field during the holiday season.
Prince William and Prince George team up for Sandringham soccer match
The duo took part in the annual friendly game between Sandringham estate workers and local villagers, embodying "healthy father-and-son bonding time."
Watching from the sidelines were Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who cheered on their family members with visible enthusiasm.
A royal insider shared with The Sun, "It was interesting to see that Harry has now been substituted for Prince George." They added that Prince William came close to scoring a goal, while George gave it his all, embracing the spirit of the game.
"There were other children playing, and it was all good fun and light-hearted. It is nice that they have returned to take part in the traditional game as they haven't done so for years," the insider further noted.
The last time Prince Harry and Prince William took part in the tradition was in 2016.
Prince William and Prince George's shared passion for soccer
The Sandringham match marks another moment in the father-son duo’s shared love for soccer.
Prince William and Prince George have previously been seen at Villa Park, supporting Aston Villa.
The 11-year-old even traveled to Berlin with his father to support England during the Euros 2024. Despite their excitement, the pair couldn’t hide their disappointment after Spain edged out England with a 2-1 victory.
Prince William once touched on his philosophy regarding George’s budding soccer interest during his appearance on 'That Peter Crouch Podcast' in 2020, saying, "I'm trying not to persuade him to be a Villa fan, I'm letting him choose his own way. It's about finding what fits for him."
Offering a heartfelt look into the Waleses' love for sports, British royal family member Mike Tindall told The Telegraph, "George loves his football. I've played numerous times in the garden with him."
He went on to highlight the young prince's unwavering loyalty to his favorite team, saying, "He's passionate about Aston Villa, too. Wherever he is, he'll sit down and watch that game."
This father-son tradition is rooted in Prince William's own dedication to the Birmingham-based club, a commitment he’s held since his school days.
Explaining his choice to soccer pundit Gary Lineker in 2015, William said, "A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans, and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams," as per Express.
"I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments. Aston Villa’s always had a great history," the father of three added.
