Prince William sends message of thanks to the stars powering growth of women’s football
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A video message from Prince William praising the remarkable growth of the women’s game and the people driving its success both on and off the pitch will open the 2026 Women’s Football Awards ceremony.
Recorded at Kensington Palace, the special address was created after the Prince was unable to attend the ceremony in person due to diary commitments.
In his message, he applauds the achievements of players and acknowledges the dedication of those working tirelessly behind the scenes to elevate women’s football to new heights.
‘I’m delighted to send my warmest congratulations to everyone involved in the 2026 Women’s Football Awards.’ he said.
‘This event celebrates not only remarkable sporting achievement, but also the dedication, resilience and leadership that continues to drive the women’s game forwards, from grass roots to the very top.
‘Women’s football has seen extraordinary growth in recent years but that progress is a result of the players, coaches, volunteers and supporters who believe in its power to inspire and unite communities.
‘To the nominees and winners thank you for what you do and congratulations on your well deserved recognition.
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The 2026 Women’s Football Awards, in partnership with Metro, Europe’s biggest awards event dedicated to the women’s game, returns for its third year following its launch in 2023.
This year’s glittering ceremony, headline sposnored by Shein, takes place tomorrow and will be co-hosted by football legend Jamie Carragher, renowned BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan, and former Lioness Lianne Sanderson.
Former Lioness Sanderson said: ‘Prince William’s support for women’s football has been fantastic. Having him take the time to record such a thoughtful message really shows how much he cares about the growth of the game.’
‘He’s a well-known football fan, so it’s great to have his support for the event and for women’s football as a whole,’ former Liverpool and England defender Carragher added.
Thursday’s ceremony will bring together some of the biggest names in the sport, including Bunny Shaw, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright and Maya Le Tissier.
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They will be joined by a host of celebrity guests such as Jordan Henderson, Denise Van Outen, Carol Vorderman and Roman Kemp.
The Women’s Football Awards continues to shine a spotlight on excellence across the game, celebrating the players, teams, and industry figures who are shaping the future of women’s football across Europe and beyond.
The Women’s Football Awards is sponsored by online fashion retailer Shein, which has dressed stars for the event, alongside Scottish Power, and logistics company DSV. Luxury holiday company Destinology is providing exclusive holiday experiences for selected award winners.
SHEIN Women’s Football Awards shortlist
Player of the Year
Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)
Bunny Shaw (Manchester City)
Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City)
Jess Park (Manchester United)
Ella Toone (Manchester United)
Kiko Seike (Brighton Hove Albion)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City)
Young Player of the Year
Tōko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur)
Laura Blindkilde Brown (Manchester City)
Michelle Agyemang (Brighton Hove Albion)
Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses)
Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)
Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United)
Grace Clinton (Manchester City)
Aoba Fujino (Manchester City)
Nelly Las (Leicester City)
Ruby Mace (Everton)
Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur)
International Player of the Year
Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich)
Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)
Alèxia Putellas (Barcelona)
Romée Leuchter (Paris Saint-Germain)
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)
Claudia Pina (Barcelona)
Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
Tessa Wullaert (Inter Milan)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Victoria López (Barcelona)
Club of the Year
Manchester City
Wrexham
London City Lionesses
Manchester United
Chelsea
Glasgow City
Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal
Charlton Athletic
Hearts
Brighton Hove Albion
Media Figure of the Year
Kelly Cates
Karen Carney MBE
Lianne Sanderson
Laura Woods
Reshmin Chowdhury
Alex Scott MBE
Mina Ibrahim
Suzanne Wrack
Katie Whyatt
Faye Carruthers
Mollie and Rosie Kmita
Best Marketing Campaign
Sports Direct Fresh Base Productions – Legacy Starts Here
AXA – Keep On Kicking
Lidl – Never Stop Growing
Adidas Intersport – Make Football Their Game
Chelsea Here We Flo – We Don’t Bleed Blue. We Bleed. Period.
PepsiMAX HopeGlory – Thirsty for More
Unilever – Hellmann’s Russo Burger
The FA Disrupt – Made For This Game
WSL Football Anomaly – Watch This
Nike Wieden+Kennedy London – IIOME
Heineken – Cheers to the Superstitious Fans
Best Grassroots Initiative
Liverpool FA – She Inspires
GoCardless – Grassroots Football Partnership
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation – Girls Women Programme
Flutter UK Ireland – Cash4Clubs
McDonald’s – Fun Football
Steven Gerrard Academy – Girls Football Programme
Electric Ireland – Game Changers NI
Starling Bank – Kick On With Starling
Octopus Energy – Kits For Kids
Manchester City – City in the Community
SP Energy Networks – Wrexham Partnership
Brand of the Year
Lucozade Sport
Adidas
EA Sports
British Gas
Skoda UK
Rexona
Barclays
Adobe
Three UK
VISA
Nike
Best Social Media
Juventus
The FA – Lionesses
Chelsea
Newcastle United
Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur
Bristol City
Manchester United
Rangers
Manchester City
Adobe – Women’s FA Cup
Global Impact Award
PlayStation
VisitMalta
VISA
Adidas
Iberdrola
PepsiCo
Booking.com
Amazon
Google Pixel
Kynisca
Nike
Best Fan Engagement
Disney+
EA Sports
Chelsea
London City Lionesses
Birmingham City
Panini
Glasgow City
Havas Play
Charlton Athletic
TikTok
YouTube
Legal Team of the Year
Linklaters
RPC
Thackray Williams
Evelyn Partners
Lawrence Stephens Limited
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Tottenham Hotspur Legal Team
Capital Law
Mills Reeve
Paul Robinson Solicitors
Bird Bird
Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Admiral
Lidl
Adobe
Unilever
Domestic General
Xero
Apple
RSK
Bute Energy
The Premier League
Deloitte
Equality, Diversity Inclusion Award
Arsenal
EE
Pixel FC Academy
The FA
West Ham United
Mastercard
Utilita
Brighton Hove Albion
VISA
Three UK
Liverpool
Community Impact Award
Sunderland
Carpenters Group
Bristol City
Crane Worldwide Logistics
Her Game Too
Xero
London City Lionesses
Domis
Brighton Hove Albion
E.ON
Goals4Girls
Football Business of the Year
ORRECO
Mercury13
We Are Athlete
CAA SPORTS
Gravity Media
LiveScore Group
Foudys
EA Sports
Kynsica
Sportfive
Twenty3
Football Agency of the Year
Wasserman
CAA SPORTS
CMG SPORTS
Gen Z Football
Ignite Talent
Tongue Tied Management
PLG
AV Sports Group
Gestifute
Livida Sport
Quantum Sport
Football Business Trailblazer
Kay Cossington
Aki Mandhar
Maggie Murphy
Sarah Batters
Zoe Johnson
Jemma White
Sola Kasali
Charlotte O’Neill
Laura Downey
Laura Montgomery
Liz Ellen
Best Breakthrough Business
E.l.f Beauty
Modibodi
Mercedes-Benz UK
Airbnb
British Gas
Guinness
AFTA Studios
PLG
Revolut
Skechers
Crocs EU
Women’s Football Champion
Rose Read
Nadine Kessler
Nikki Doucet
Jemma White
Michele Kang
Ebru Köksal
Debbie Hewitt MBE
Joelle Murray
Rachel Pavlou
Simone Pound MBE
Vic Akers OBE
Game Changer Award
Rachel Yankey OBE
Gillian Coultard MBE
Eartha Pond
Shelley Kerr MBE
Kelly Smith MBE
Nikita Parris
Ellen White MBE
Gilly Flaherty
Fran Kirby
Ini Umotong
Jess Fishlock MBE
Off The Pitch Award
Stephen Lansdown CBE
Michael Williamson
Matt Johnson
Bethan Woolley
Tammy Parlour MBE
Lungi Macebo
Rachel Pavlou
Liz Ellen
Lola Ogunbote
Helen Hardy
Jo Osborne
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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/05/06/prince-william-celebrates-rise-womens-football-28259849/