Prince William shakes hands with the King of Denmark after Euros draw in Frankfurt
The Prince of Wales shook hands with the King of Denmark after the royals watched their countries face off in a 1-1 stalemate in Germany on Thursday evening.
Prince William, who is also the President of the FA, was incredibly animated throughout the Euros clash, including when he launched out of his seat and cheered after England captain Harry Kane gave the Three Lions a 1-0 lead inside 18 minutes.
But by the end of the game, William - like most of the nation - had his hands on his face after a far from convincing performance saw England pegged back to a 1-1 draw thanks to a wonder strike from Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
Despite the lacklustre performance, the prince showed his sportsmanship by shaking hands with Denmark's King, Frederik X, at the full-time whistle - with both countries still on track to advance in the tournament.
The pair appeared to have a jokey exchange as Frederik X, who only acceded to the throne following his mother's shock abdication in January, celebrated with a fist pump in front of William's face when he left the stadium.
Long-time football fan William was photographed laughing with Frederik in the crowd and the pair were filmed having an enthusiastic conversation as they sat together on the same row.
The Prince of Wales and the King of Denmark embrace one another after England drew 1-1 with the Danes
The royals are seen shaking hands at the end of a tense Euros game in which Denmark were the better side
Prince William passionately celebrates after Harry Kane put England ahead
But by the end of the game, William - like most of the nation - had his hand on his head after a far from convincing performance
Prince William was hoping for an early birthday present with an England victory. He is pictured with Denmark King Frederik X
The King of Denmark jokingly celebrates in William's face after Denmark managed a 1-1 draw with England
Prince William is seen singing the national anthem at the Frankfurt Arena
Shortly after kick-off, a photo of William, Frederick and Princess Josephine of Denmark was shared to the Wales's X account with the caption: 'May the best team win.'
William was wearing a suit and striped tie and Frederik an open-collar white shirt and blazer at the Frankfurt Arena in Germany.
The Prince of Wales, who made the trip to Frankfurt without the Princess of Wales despite her recent public appearance, was also spotted chatting to former Manchester United CEO and UEFA treasurer David Gill and FA CEO Mark Bullingham.
The prince was hoping for an early birthday present ahead of his 42nd birthday on Friday - but the Three Lions failed to roar in their second Euros clash.
Gareth Southgate's men had got off to the perfect start when Kane fired home after 18 minutes - but his strike was cancelled out by Danish midfielder Hjulmand's thunderbolt 10 minutes before half-time.
England's star-studded squad, who beat Serbia in a nervy 1-0 win on Sunday, have the support of their WAGs and the nation as the tournament favourites attempt to go one step further than Euro 2020, when they lost to Italy in the final at Wembley.
But the uninspired travelling support booed the squad after a lacklustre performance in Frankfurt.
William jumped off his seat and passionately celebrated when Kane opened the scoring with a close-range strike after Kyle Walker had stormed down the right-wing and pulled the ball back.
The Frankfurt Arena erupted as Kane - who now plays his club football in Germany for Bayern Munich - wheeled away in celebration, while pints were launched into the air in fan zones and pubs across England.
But the celebrations were short-lived as Hjulmand silenced England's vocal fanbase when he powered home with a sensational strike from outside the box, leaving goalkeeper Jordan Pickford helpless as the ball cannoned in off the post.
William is a passionate Aston Villa fan and he presented shirts to the England men's squad before the team left for Germany, making a surprise visit to St George's Park, England's national football centre in Burton upon Trent.
William joined tens of thousands of fans at the Frankfurt Arena tonight
He and the King of Denmark appeared to be getting on very well in Frankfurt tonight
Prince William was not impressed in the second half of England's game against Denmark
He did, however, applaud the Three Lions as boos rang around the Frankfurt Arena
An animated William reacts during England vs Denmark
William was in Frankfurt without the Princess of Wales
Prince William and the Denmark King shake hands at the full-time whistle
He attended the game alone, as the Princess of Wales is away from public duties while she continues her treatment for cancer.
On Wednesday, William joined Kate's parents at Royal Ascot along with a host of royals including the Queen.
Kate, 42, revealed in a statement last Friday she is making 'good progress' in her treatment but candidly said she has 'good days and bad days' and, although she has been working from home, stressed 'I am not out of the woods yet'.
Before kick-off, the Prince of Wales joined England's players and fans in singing the national anthem - and gave a thumbs up in an indication that he had been feeling positive about tonight's game.
The royal joined tens of thousands of fans at the Frankfurt Arena, with millions more watching at home.
In the UK, fans were getting on the booze early at hundreds of pubs, bars and fan zones, with many having worked from home or even taking the the day off to watch the match as it kicked off at 5pm on BBC One.
England captain Harry Kane had got the Three Lions off to a flyer in Germany tonight
The Frankfurt Arena erupted as Kane wheeled away in celebration
England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal with Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka
England fans at the packed Frankfurt Arena celebrate wildly in front of Harry Kane
Danish midfielder Morten Hjulman equalised with a sensational strike from outside the box
England fans celebrate their side's first goal at Millennium Square in Leeds
An England fans with an It's Coming Home bucket hat celebrates England's opener
Prince William was all smiles until Denmark levelled shortly after Kane's goal
Denmark fans were dressed head to toe in Danish merchandise
Tens of thousands of England fans packed out the Frankfurt Arena
England players pose for a team group photo before the match
An incredible shot of the players singing the national anthems before kick-off
England fans sing ahead of England's Euros group stage match against Denmark
Thousands of fans have filled the stadium in Frankfurt to watch the crunch match
Jordan Pickford's wife, Megan Davison, was all smiles before Denmark pulled one back
Tolami Benson, the girlfriend of England and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka
Annie Kilner was in the crowd as her husband Kyle Walker set up the first goal
Jarrod Bowen's partner Dani Dyer at the Frankfurt Arena ahead of today's Denmark match
Megan Davison (left), wife of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and Tolami Benson, partner of England's Bukayo Saka
Fans greet the England team bus arriving at the Frankfurt Arena for the match today
Jarrod Bowen's partner Dani Dyer (centre) at the Frankfurt Arena ahead of the match today
Kane's wife Kate Goodland has also been pictured in the crowds at the Frankfurt Arena ahead of the Three Lions' crunch match
Jordan Pickford's wife Megan is pictured in Frankfurt today ahead of the Euro 2024 match
Fans gather for England's match against Denmark at Boxpark Croydon in London today
England fans enjoy a beer as they prepare to cheer on the team at Boxpark Croydon today
England fans hit a pub early in Leeds as they prepare to watch today's match against Denmark
Denmark fan celebrates their side's first goal at Central Park, Newcastle
England fans soaked up the sun and sank pints ahead of kick-off.
With a mobile bar set up in the garden of a serving chilled Italian beer – and not Danish – dozens of fans at The Park Hotel in Teddington sat in front of a TV to watch the Euro match.
Graphic designer Allsion Oakwood sat under an umbrella with her husband David to see if Gareth Southgate's team would book their place in the final 16 of the tournament with a victory.
She said: 'I work from home, so it was easy to slip out and come down here. I'm not a big football fan, but its nice just to be outside in The Sun. If they score I will cheer.'
Clive Linkin, 52, said: 'I was going to watch the game at home, but its such a nice evening it made sense to come down here. England have a great team and should do well – I hope.'
Andrew Milburn, from Hampton Wick, was with two friends sat in the shade waiting for kick off.
He said: 'I like it here as its quiet and no one is screaming or shouting. Some of the pubs are rammed and its too much.'
A mobile bar serving Peroni beer had been installed next to a TV screen.
A member of staff said: 'The weather has really helped. We have a TV screen inside, but people are liking being able to watch the game out in the open.'
Other sheltered from the warm evening sunshine inside The Park, a hotel and restaurant in the centre of Teddington, Middlesex.
The venue is close to The Lensbury Club where England's Women's football team have made their home base while playing at Wembley stadium.
Boozy England fans also gathered to cheer on England in Wembley Box Park this evening.
Thousands of supporters in an array of England kit from over the years descended on the capital to watch the match in the bar beside the Three Lion's home of Wembley Stadium.
England fans queued for pints of beer before the match as the tension grew. But it didn't take long for the beer to be in the air instead as Harry Kane slotted home in the 18th minute, prompting a mist of booze as Three Lions fans tossed up their plastic cups in celebration.
The Bayern Munich striker's goal prompted raucous humiliation before the chant of 'It's Coming Home' rang out around the viewing area. Yet just before half time disaster struck as Denmark scored — and Wembley Box Park's screen froze, prompting boos from the fans.
Liam Fairhall, from Brighton, said he was at Wembley Box Park to enjoy a boozy sesh watching the footy.
He told MailOnline: 'It's good day, it's a p**s up, I thought why not?'
However, Liam didn't have too many hopes for the Euros. He added: 'Southgate's going to get too conservative and we're going to go out early on, in the round of 16.'
Friends Jack and James from Southeast London, said they got 'soaked' when Harry Kane score.
Jack said he was at the Box Park 'for England and the vibes'.
He said when Kane slotted home, he 'turned around, saw my mate's two pints, took them and threw both of them in the air'.
'I'm soaked but we're going to win the Euros,' he added.
Katie, 20, and Ella, 19, go to university together in Hertfordshire and are down in London for the day.
Katte said: 'It's coming home. I fancy Southgate, he's fit. I think we're going to win.'
Ella wasn't so hopeful. She didn't think the Three Lions would get further the group stages.
But both women agreed they were having a good time at the Box Park, even if they were drenched in beer that 'smells like sick'.
Boos also rung out from fans at Wembley Box Park as the game ended.
England supporters turned on Southgate, who has hinted he may resign if the Three Lions fail to win the tournament.
Dejected England fans inside the viewing area hurled expletives at the team and their beleaguered coach on the final whistle.
Yet while some chucked their drinks on the ground, for others the night has only just begun - with fans planning to party into the night regardless of the score.
Due to the timing of today's game, a series of companies have even allowed their staff to leave work early or offered to show the game on TV in the office - although this is likely to see a rise in absences, sickness and lateness tomorrow, HR experts have warned.
Annual leave requests are up on the May daily average by 123 per cent today and 148 per cent tomorrow, according to research by BrightHR. The firm added that absences last Friday - the first day of the tournament - were up 302 per cent on May.
An estimated 18.5million people watched England's winning start to Euro 2024 on TV against Serbia on Sunday night as Jude Bellingham scored in a 1-0 victory.
Some 86 per cent of England fans watched it at their home or a friend's house, while 7 per cent went to a pub, according to data from discount provider Blue Light Card.
Samuel Mather-Holgate, an independent financial advisor at Mather and Murray Financial in Swindon, told MailOnline today: 'Given these major tournaments are only every 2 years, and the England match doesn't demand a whole day of drinking, we will be letting everyone finish 90 minutes early, so they can get home, light the BBQ and relax with a bottle of something bubbly.
'We don't expect any absences the next day, especially given our flexibility for the match. We find that if you try to accommodate your staff's needs, they pay you back with their loyalty.'
And Louise Skittrall, an HR expert at Robinson Grace HR Consultancy in the same town, said: 'In light of the nation's enthusiastic support of the England football team, we will be closing the Robinson Grace HR office at 4.30pm on Thursday to allow everyone to get home in time.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage poses for a picture with England fans
England fans hit the pubs early despite the game being on a Thursday
England fans arrived two hours early ahead of kick-off
England fans roar the Three Lions on in Frankfurt
Pints are launched into the air in Nottingham as Kane scored
England fans celebrate in a Nottingham pub this evening
Those watching day three of Ascot were watching the England game
The game was being played on a big screen at Ascot today
Racegoers turned their attention to the tense Euros clash
Fans watch the England vs Denmark match at Royal Ascot
England fans at the Frankfurt Arena today before the Euro 2024 match against Denmark
Fans cheer on England before their Euro 2024 match against Denmark
England fans in Frankfurt today before the Euro 2024 group match against Denmark
A fan holds an England flag on a fountain in Romerberg square in Frankfurt today
England supporters pose with beer glasses in Frankfurt today before the match
England fans in Frankfurt today before the Euro 2024 group match against Denmark
England supporters pose with beer glasses in Frankfurt today before the match
England fans in Romerberg Square before the Euro 2024 match against Denmark today
England fans before the Euro 2024 match against Denmark at the Frankfurt Arena today
England fans in Romerberg Square before the Euro 2024 match against Denmark today
England fans before the Euro 2024 match against Denmark at Frankfurt Arena today
Fans of England and Denmark are observed by police before the match in Frankfurt today
Liam Fairhall, from Brighton, said he was at Wembley Box Park to enjoy a boozy sesh watching the footy.
Friends Jack (centre left) and James (centre right) from Southeast London, said they got 'soaked' when Harry Kane scored
Katie (left), 20, and Ella, 19, go to university together in Hertfordshire and are down in London for the day. Katte said: 'It's coming home. I fancy Southgate, he's fit. I think we're going to win.' Ella wasn't so hopeful. She didn't think the Three Lions would get further the group stages. But both women agreed they were having a good time at the Box Park, even if they were drenched in beer that 'smells like sick'
'One of our clients has moved the times of their shifts that day to accommodate a 90-minute gap between the day and twilight shifts while the match is on.
'We're not anticipating many sickies at this stage of the competition but as the tournament progresses, it's not uncommon to have a rise in absence or last minute holiday bookings to accommodate England matches.
'Our advice to clients is to take a pragmatic approach - if watching at work can be accommodated, or a change in working hours on some days can be agreed, this can be a win, win. Others introduce a rota system so that those not interested in football volunteer to cover shifts when matches are taking place.'
Some fans took to social media to say how they were working from home today, with one saying on X: 'WFH on Thursday, it is just to watch England lol - they better not be terrible.'
England fans in Leeds get ready for today's Euro 2024 game against Denmark
England fans hit a pub early in Leeds as they prepare to watch today's match against Denmark
England fans arrive at the pub in Leeds today ahead of the Euro 2024 match against Denmark
An England fan with a Rochdale flag as he heads to the pub in Leeds today to watch the game
England flags at the Kirby Estate in South East London today ahead of the Denmark match
England flags at the Kirby Estate in South East London today ahead of the Denmark match
England flags at the Kirby Estate in South East London today ahead of the Denmark match
England flags at the Kirby Estate in South East London today ahead of the Denmark match
Another posted a selfie of them in their England shirt, saying: 'Back to work today. WFH at least. At least there's some stuff on the TV ...'
And a third tweeted: 'You can tell England is playing today. The way everyone is working from home today.'
Others commented on how they were not working at all today, with one tweeting: 'I took the day off just so I can watch England game.'
Another said: 'Told my boss England plays today I'm taking the day off work.'
Alan Price, chief executive at BrightHR, told MailOnline: 'With England football fans gearing up for the match against Denmark this Thursday, businesses can expect a sharp increase in the number of staff finishing work early or taking half-days to catch the action live.'
He said the firm had looked at its absence management software, which monitors more than one million employees in the UK, to predict the possible impact.
Mr Price added: 'Match days like this one can have a huge impact on attendance and productivity in the workplace, with absences, sickness and lateness sometimes doubling after big games.
'Encourage staff to abide by the terms in their contract and only leave early if they have booked the time off in advance.'
The company revealed that during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there was an increase of 111 per cent in the number of people who called in sick when England played the USA in the group stages on Friday, November 25 when compared to the daily average sickness rate.
This could mean an additional 50,000 people will pull a sickie today if the trend is repeated for the match.
Among the firms planning to show the game to staff is Peninsula, a company which specialises in HR, employment law and health and safety consultancy services for employers.
Prince William, pictured at the Order of the Garter service in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Monday, is flying in to watch England v Denmark in Frankfurt today
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Kate Palmer, employment services director at the firm, told MailOnline: 'At Peninsula, we choose to show big games in the office so employees don't miss out on any of the action whilst continuing to do their work.
'This could also be good solution for businesses where remote working is not an option.
'With a 5pm kick-off, some bosses may choose to put on a social option for employees to stay behind and watch the match with colleagues, maybe you order in some pizzas and make an evening of it.'#
However she added that firms considering this option should ensure they have the correct licenses in place.
Ms Palmer continued: 'If you are serving drinks, however, remember that social events are an extension of the workplace and inappropriate behaviour that happens at such an event could lead to you having to take disciplinary action the next day.
England fans at the Boxpark Wembley in London celebrate during the Serbia match on Sunday
England fans celebrate after Sunday's match at the Douglas Tavern in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear
England fans at 4TheFans Fans Park in Dalston, East London, celebrate after Sunday's win
'Remember employees can use their free time as they wish however if they are not in a fit state to work when they arrive on site then this becomes a problem for employers.
'A gentle reminder that any such misconduct during the Euros will be subject to disciplinary action will often suffice.
'Nobody wants to be the fun police, and many employers are looking forward to the Euros as much as their employees are. Having a sporting events policy in place ahead of major tournaments is the best way to avoid any misunderstanding.'
The BBC said its coverage of Sunday's match was watched by an average audience of 10.5million, peaking at 15million.
The game was also streamed 3.5million times on BBC iPlayer.
England got off to a positive start in Germany when Bellingham scored a header 13 minutes into their Group C opener.
England fans at the UEFA Fan Zone in Frankfurt on Sunday during the match against Serbia
England fans celebrate at the UEFA Fan Zone in Frankfurt during the Serbia match on Sunday
Manager Gareth Southgate said yesterday that he had spoken to his players about dealing with tournament background noise as England look to seal Euro 2024 progress with a game to spare.
England began the tournament with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Serbia on Sunday thanks to Bellingham's early header but lost control of the match, leading to much debate ahead of their second match against Denmark.
But the England boss has been trying to keep the focus on what is important ahead of today's match.
'There's going to be a narrative around a player, a couple of players after every England game,' Southgate said, praising Phil Foden for doing an 'exceptional job' against Serbia despite some onlookers questioning his display.
'This is a different world to the one you experience at clubs. The players as a collective recognise that now after the last couple of days. We talked with them about it.
England will play Denmark at the Frankfurt Arena (pictured on Monday) in their second game
'It's very rare at their club they'd win a game and experience what they've experienced over the last couple of days.
'I have to make sure I can guide them through that, let them understand it and recognise it's the reality of our world but that we shouldn't be thrown off track by it.
'We're in a good position, we know we want to play better, there are lot of things we did really well and we move towards tomorrow's game.'
