William the photobomber! Prince hosts England women's football squad for breakfast at Kensington Palace, before making surprise appearance in team selfie

  • The father-of-two hosted a breakfast for the England Women's football team on Thursday morning
  • Chatted enthusiastically to the women and their head coach, Mark Sampson
  • Clearly in jovial spirits, Karen Bardsley tweeted a snap of Prince William 'photobombing' them
  • The Prince was blissfully unaware that the snap was being taken as he chatted to someone in the background
  • Team finished third; the best ever result for England senior football team abroad

By Bianca London for MailOnline

Published: 05:38 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 09:50 EST, 9 July 2015

They made history at the World Cup by beating Germany and finishing third - the best ever result for an England senior football team abroad.

And it seems that the England Women's football team - who call themselves the Lionesses - are still in jovial spirits following their stellar performance.

The team, who joined Prince William for breakfast at Kensington Palace on Thursday morning as a reward for their athletic efforts, tweeted a comical snap of the royal 'photobombing' them.

The Prince was blissfully unaware that the snap was being taken - and tweeted out to thousands of followers - as he nonchalantly chatted to someone in the background.    

As reward for their heroics, the England Women's Football team were invited to meet the Duke of Cambridge for breakfast croissants. Clearly still in high spirits from their triumphant World Cup performance, the women tweeted out a comical snap of Prince William 'photobombing' them

As reward for their heroics, the England Women's Football team were invited to meet the Duke of Cambridge for breakfast croissants. Clearly still in high spirits from their triumphant World Cup performance, the women tweeted out a comical snap of Prince William 'photobombing' them

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, meets members of the England Women's Football team during a breakfast reception at Kensington Palace - a reward for their efforts abroad

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, meets members of the England Women's Football team during a breakfast reception at Kensington Palace - a reward for their efforts abroad

The father-of-two, who is a staunch Aston Villa fan, was hosting a breakfast for the England Women's football team at the royal household when the snap was taken and tweeted out by Karen Bardsley, an American-born English international football goalkeeper.

The smartly dressed 33-year-old chatted enthusiastically to the women, who beat Germany 1-0 in the World Cup third place play-off, and their head coach, Mark Sampson. 

Prince William, who sent out messages of support to the England Women's football team after their historic victory against Canada in June, took the opportunity to congratulate the female players in person. 

William, who is president of the Football Association, chatted with the women, who returned to the UK last week.

The team, who occupied plenty of headlines for their sporting prowess, finished third - the best ever result for an England senior football team abroad.  

Karen Bardsley, an American-born English international football goalkeeper, tweeted a snap of Prince William 'photobombing' them with the caption 'The croissants though' 

Karen Bardsley, an American-born English international football goalkeeper, tweeted a snap of Prince William 'photobombing' them with the caption 'The croissants though' 

The father-of-two hosted a breakfast for the England Women's football team - who call themselves the Lionesses - at the royal household

The father-of-two hosted a breakfast for the England Women's football team - who call themselves the Lionesses - at the royal household

Members of the England Women's Football team pose with British Prime Minister David Cameron outside 10 Downing Street. The team met David Cameron following their breakfast with Prince William after returning home from their World Cup campaign where they came third

Members of the England Women's Football team pose with British Prime Minister David Cameron outside 10 Downing Street. The team met David Cameron following their breakfast with Prince William after returning home from their World Cup campaign where they came third

Members of the England Women's Football team pose with British Prime Minister David Cameron outside 10 Downing Street

Members of the England Women's Football team pose with British Prime Minister David Cameron outside 10 Downing Street

Dressed smartly in a suit, the 33-year-old chatted enthusiastically to the women and their head coach, Mark Sampson

Dressed smartly in a suit, the 33-year-old chatted enthusiastically to the women and their head coach, Mark Sampson

Football fan Prince William took the opportunity to congratulate the female players in person

Football fan Prince William took the opportunity to congratulate the female players in person

Speaking in a statement in June, the Duke of Cambridge said: 'Congratulations to both the English and Canadian teams for such a great game in the Women's World Cup quarter-finals.

'As president of the FA, I'm thrilled to see the England women progress to the semi-finals for the first time.This team is making history and I can't wait to see them in action against Japan.

'I know a lot of people have been following the team's progress and I'm sure many more will now seize the chance to support this great moment for English football. The Lionesses are doing their country proud.' 

The women's team, who captured the hearts of a nation as they exceeded expectations under coach Mark Sampson, and returned home on Monday to be greeted by friends, family and fans, will also meet local schoolchildren at the Royal Household Club pitch. 

The fledgling athletes are partaking in the FA Skills Programme, a scheme that offers school students the opportunity to play football.

In May, William met the high-flying stars of the England Women's football team in his role as president of the FA.

During his visit, he was presented with a miniature football shirt for Princess Charlotte, who, her doting father revealed, has been giving him 'a few sleepless nights.' 

William, who is president of the Football Association and is a staunch Aston Villa supporter, chatted with the women, who returned to the UK last week

William, who is president of the Football Association and is a staunch Aston Villa supporter, chatted with the women, who returned to the UK last week

The women's team captured the hearts of a nation as they exceeded expectations under coach Mark Sampson

The women's team captured the hearts of a nation as they exceeded expectations under coach Mark Sampson

The women's team will also meet local schoolchildren at the Royal Household Club pitch

The women's team will also meet local schoolchildren at the Royal Household Club pitch

British Prime Minister David Cameron laughs and jokes with members of the England Women's Football team

British Prime Minister David Cameron laughs and jokes with members of the England Women's Football team

Following the breakfast, Prince William travelled to the Imperial War Museum Duxford where he was presented with a Supermarine Spitfire MK 1 from American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan, which was built in 1939.

IWM Duxford is Britain's best-preserved Second World War airfield. The royal enjoyed a flying display after being presented with the plane, which lead a squadron on an Offensive Patrol during Operation Dynamo.

The plane, which crash-landed in Sangatte, near Calais and was recovered in 1986, protected the evacuation of the British Army at Dunkirk.

Following the breakfast, Prince William received a Supermarine Spitfire MK 1 from American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan at the Inperial War Museum, Duxford

Following the breakfast, Prince William received a Supermarine Spitfire MK 1 from American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan at the Inperial War Museum, Duxford

IWM Duxford is Britain's best-preserved Second World War airfield and Prince William was certainly enjoying his day out

IWM Duxford is Britain's best-preserved Second World War airfield and Prince William was certainly enjoying his day out

In you get! The Duke of Cambridge climbs into the cockpit of a donated Spitfire Aircraft received on behalf of the Imperial War Museum

In you get! The Duke of Cambridge climbs into the cockpit of a donated Spitfire Aircraft received on behalf of the Imperial War Museum

The royal enjoyed a flying display after being presented with the plane, which lead a squadron on an Offensive Patrol during Operation Dynamo

The royal enjoyed a flying display after being presented with the plane, which lead a squadron on an Offensive Patrol during Operation Dynamo

Prince William receives a Supermarine Spitfire MK 1 from American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan

Prince William receives a Supermarine Spitfire MK 1 from American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan

A suited and booted Prince William clambers into the cockpit of a donated Spitfire Aircraft 

A suited and booted Prince William clambers into the cockpit of a donated Spitfire Aircraft 

Prince William looked right at home in the newly restored Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200

Prince William looked right at home in the newly restored Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200

The signature of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is seen on a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200 

The signature of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is seen on a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200 

Prince William chats to a pilot as he views a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200

Prince William chats to a pilot as he views a Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200

Prince William receives a Supermarine Spitfire MK 1 from American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan

Prince William receives a Supermarine Spitfire MK 1 from American philanthropist Thomas Kaplan

It's been a busy 24 hours for the Duke, who enjoyed a spot of tennis on Thursday with his wife, who recently gave birth to their second child, Princess Charlotte. 

A jovial Prince William managed to make light of the tube strike whilst at Wimbledon as he pretended to make a dash for the underground station when an announcement was made on Centre Court.

Watched by wife Kate, who he had already spent much of the day laughing with, the royal took the opportunity to give the Royal Box, and the rest of the court a giggle, jumping up from his seat with a smile.

Earlier the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had seemed still very much in love as they cheered on Andy Murray to his win against Vasek Pospisil on Centre Court today.

The couple, who were seated just in front of adventurer Bear Grylls and close to both Sophie Wessex and Prince Albert of Monaco, looked longingly into each other's eyes and shared some private jokes in between sets.

Kate, who has long been a tennis fan, was elegant in a scarlet dress by L.K Bennett and looked relaxed and happy as she chatted to her 33-year-old husband.

The duo, who also wore matching Ray Ban sunglasses, were given a round of applause as they took their seats and happily waved to the crowd of cheering tennis fans. 

The Duke enjoyed a spot of tennis on Thursday with his wife, who recently gave birth to their second child, Princess Charlotte

The Duke enjoyed a spot of tennis on Thursday with his wife, who recently gave birth to their second child, Princess Charlotte

The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Sophie, Countess of Wessex applaud as Andy Murray wins his Gentlemen's Singles Quarter Final match against Vasek Pospisil of Canada

The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Sophie, Countess of Wessex applaud as Andy Murray wins his Gentlemen's Singles Quarter Final match against Vasek Pospisil of Canada

Earlier the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had seemed still very much in love as they cheered on Andy Murray to his win against Vasek Pospisil on Centre Court today

Earlier the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had seemed still very much in love as they cheered on Andy Murray to his win against Vasek Pospisil on Centre Court today

 

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