Prince William, while on a solo journey to Saudi Arabia, seems to be missing his wife, Catherine, as he travels more than 4,000 miles from home. His visit to the Gulf state spans three days, and during this time, he has taken the opportunity to engage with young female footballers in Riyadh. This interaction aims to highlight the significance of women’s involvement in sports.

Although the players were excited to meet the future King of Britain, their enthusiasm was slightly dampened by the absence of the Princess of Wales, whom they had hoped to see alongside him. The sense of disappointment was palpable on the field at Misk Sports City when a touching exchange unfolded between Prince William and one of the young athletes.

During the training session, a young player gathered the courage to raise a hand and address the Prince of Wales with a question that many seemed eager to ask. William, in a gesture of warmth and attentiveness, leaned down to listen closely as the young player inquired, “Did Princess Kate come with you?”

With a tinge of regret, William, now 43, replied, “No, she’s not here sadly,” which prompted a heartfelt, albeit disappointed, “aw” from the young player. This moment underscored the affection and admiration the public holds for the Princess of Wales, even thousands of miles away from her own country.

‘Yeah’ said William, who leant down to engage with the young player, who then asked: ‘Did Princess Kate come with you?’

‘No she’s not here sadly,’ William, 43, responded, to which the disappointed young player said: ‘aw.’

When one of the children told the prince that he should bring his family on a future visit to Saudi Arabia, William responded: ‘They would love it here. Will you show them how to play football? My children love football, but you guys are another level.

‘I can see you guys will be at the World Cup very soon, and then you’re going to make me feel very old.’ 

The prince, who has embarked on a three-day tour of the Gulf state, joined young female football players during a training session in Riyadh to learn about the importance of women’s participation in sport

A young player raised their hand tentatively and told the Prince of Wales: ‘I have a question’. ‘Yeah’ said William, who leant down to engage with the young player, who then asked: ‘Did Princess Kate come with you?’

While the players were keen to meet Britain’s future King, they appeared somewhat disheartened to learn that the Princess of Wales (pictured) would not be making an appearance

The touching interaction was captured on day two of William’s Saudi Arabia tour, as the heir met with young girls aged ten to 15 from youth squads during their training drills at Riyadh Training Centre.

At one stage, William dusted off his football boots and was even challenged to take part in a crossbar challenge, taking three shots at goal with the aim of hitting the crossbar. However, he instead put all three balls in the net.

‘This is my first time in Saudi Arabia,’ he told the group of young players. ‘Have any of you ever been to the UK? You know the weather’s different – cold and rainy but you have the sunshine here all the time. 

‘Good luck with the football, keep practising and we’ll see you in the World Cup.’

As a parting gift, William was presented by the female athletes with a Saudi national shirt. He was also given smaller versions for each of his three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, with their names printed on the back. 

As he departed the training centre, William told officials: ‘My children love sport so the more they can get involved and get more active, the better.’

It comes after the Prince and Princess of Wales publicly addressed the Jeffrey Epstein crisis for the first time on Monday, with Kensington Palace saying that the pair were ‘deeply concerned’ at the ‘continued revelations’ and that their thoughts ‘remain focused on the victims’.

While aides to William in Riyadh stressed the prince had a job to do and was focused on doing it, much of the prince’s trip has been somewhat overshadowed by the ensuing scandal and the release of the trance of Epstein files.

The touching interaction was captured on day two of William’s Saudi Arabia tour, as the heir met with young girls aged ten to 15 from youth squads in Riyadh during their training drills

At one stage, William dusted off his football boots and was even challenged to take part in a crossbar challenge, taking three shots at goal with the aim of hitting the crossbar. However, he instead put all three balls in the net

During the visit, the prince was greeted by Dr Majid bin Al Qassabi, Minister of Commerce, and Prince Abdulaziz (pictured), Minister of Sport, as well as representatives from the Misk Foundation

Indeed, shortly before William’s touching conversation with the young sporting players, the prince appeared to ignore a question about the Firm’s response to the ensuing scandal. 

At the sports city, a man was heard shouting to the prince: ‘Sir, to what extent do you think the Royal Family has done enough around the Andrew and Epstein issue?’

However, as the shout was reasonably far away from William, it remains unclear whether he heard what was said in that moment.

During the visit, the prince was greeted by Dr Majid bin Al Qassabi, Minister of Commerce, and Prince Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport, as well as representatives from the Misk Foundation.

He was also given an overview of women’s football in the kingdom by Lamia Bahaian, vice president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).

Before meeting with local families who regularly use the Misk facilities, William also visited an environmentally sustainable urban regeneration project and spoke with students in the area. 

According to Saudi officials, women’s sports participation has increased by 150 per cent since 2016, with over 330,000 registered female athletes operating nationwide. 

Women were prohibited from attending any sporting events in the country until 2018, while female physical education only came into play in 2017.

On Monday, William met with Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, for an intimate dinner, with a royal source confirming: ‘The prince enjoyed an evening with the crown prince. 

‘It was warm, far-ranging conversation which touched on many elements of UK-Saudi bilateral relationship.’

The source added that William had gifted the Saudi ruler an ‘England shirt signed and worn by captain Harry Kane at the England vs Senegal friendly on June 10 2025.’

The prince’s three-day trip is believed to be William’s biggest diplomatic test to date, with the prince having been sent on the visit to the Gulf State at the request of the British Government.

It is hoped that the prince will strengthen ties with one of the UK’s closest Middle East allies and a major religious and political player in the region, while also setting the tone for future Anglo-Saudi relations.