The only critics are in the Daily mail and on here. From what I can see and read the public in general do not see it as a problem. I was going to say agree with him but I do not think it is even that, It is half way around the world, a 24 hour flight, for a 90 minute match. If it had been factored in to another trip that was in that general direction at the same time that would be fine.
To be fair the rugby world cup is in Europe so if one of the home nations reached the final it might be a better prospect for travel, then he will be criticised for picking men over women or rugby over football.
William is his own man, and good on him, he is not going to be pushed, we have seen it in the past , that is his character.
My post in the Wales forums (post 22 here
https://www.theroyalforums.com/foru...arities-2-sep-2022-a-50481-2.html#post2566426 and copied below) gave articles from almost every UK newspaper. It not just the DM and here
The Sun
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/23540...rld-cup-final/
PRINCE William and Rishi Sunak have scored an own goal by deciding to skip the women’s World Cup final.
The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister are to miss the match in Sydney, Australia, despite it being the Lionesses’ first appearance in the final.
It comes as Spain’s Queen Letizia revealed she would be heading Down Under.
Yesterday, Kensington Palace confirmed Prince William, who is president of the FA, would be roaring on the Lionesses from home.
William is believed to be against the 9,400-mile flight as he wants to keep down his carbon footprint.
Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ses-final.html
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will make a late dash to Australia for the women's World Cup final as a sexism storm brews back home amid claims the Lionesses have been treated with 'disregard and disrespect'.
Anger has erupted over a shambolic scramble to allow pubs to serve booze before kick-off, snubs from Prince William and Rishi Sunak and no plans for a bank holiday should England triumph.
With barely 48 hours until the Lionesses line up against Spain, councils are facing a last-minute dash to relax restrictions so fans can enjoy a pint when the game starts at 11am. Most venues only have licences allowing them to sell alcohol from midday.
It comes as pressure also grew today on Prince William after Kensington Palace confirmed he would not be flying to Australia for the game.
(..)
Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...n-Letizia.html
The row over Prince William's absence from this weekend's Women's World Cup final deepened today as a former sports minister said the royal should 'be there'.
Kensington Palace confirmed earlier this week that the Prince of Wales, who is president of the Football Association and therefore responsible for promoting the game nationally and internationally, would not be making the trip Down Under.
He will instead be roaring on the Lionesses - who are representing England in its first World Cup final since 1966 - from home, as will Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who will also not be in attendance for Sunday's clash with Spain.
The Times
https://archive.ph/CNMU7
The Prince of Wales is facing calls to cut short his holiday and attend the Women’s World Cup final in Australia on Sunday, after it was announced that his Spanish royal counterparts would be there.
As president of the Football Association (FA), the governing body of English football, the heir to the throne is responsible for promoting the game nationally and internationally at all levels.
However, after England’s 3-1 victory over Australia on Wednesday, Kensington Palace said that the prince, 41, would not attend Stadium Australia in Sydney and instead planned to watch the match against Spain on television in the UK.
Daily Telegraph
https://archive.ph/whuRL
The Prince of Wales has come under pressure to attend the Women’s World Cup final after the Queen of Spain confirmed she would be there.
The Prince, 41, president of the Football Association (FA), has opted not to break away from his holidays to cheer on the Lionesses in Sydney and will instead watch Sunday’s historic match on television.
By contrast, his Spanish counterpart Queen Letizia, 50, has confirmed she will make the journey with Princess Sofia, her 16-year-old daughter, to cheer on the national team.
(..)
The Mirror
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals...queen-30731154
Prince William and the Princess of Wales have been shown up by Spain's Queen Letizia, who has confirmed she will be attending the Lioness's World Cup final clash, according to one commentator.
The beloved Spanish monarch will head out on a day-long, 9,400-mile trip to Sydney, Australia later this week so she and her daughter, Infanta Sofia, can cheer on the Spanish women's team while the Wales family keeps their feet planted firmly on UK ground.
Supporters cheering on the womens' team from home, like the Wales's, won't be able to get in a cheery mood for the start of the match as many pubs aren't licensed to sell booze before 11am. The Liberal Democrats and pubs had been asking for a relaxation to the rules ahead of the bout, which ministers shot down.
(..)