Fist-pumping Prince William shares nation’s despair, relief and joy in England win

Prince William led the celebrations after England survived penalties against Switzerland to keep their Euros dream alive.

The Prince of Wales captured the mood of the nation as he leapt to his feet and fist-pumped the air as England levelled the scoring and later emerged victorious after the shoot-out.

With just 10 minutes to go the royal looked to be heading back home disappointed alongside 50,000 Three Lions fans in Dusseldorf.

But now England can dare to dream of Euros glory after Bukayo Saka’s 80th-minute equaliser and a 5-3 victory in the shoot-out set up a semi-final in Dortmund.

Even Gary Lineker was more upbeat, saying it was “nice to be able to be positive” following the row over his criticism of England ahead of their group stage match with Slovenia.

Earlier in the day, the Swiss made their mark in Dusseldorf as they descended on its streets with fondues and cow bells but, eventually, the sound of Hey Jude and Three Lions was ringing out around the western German city.

Prince William, sat near Portuguese legend Luis Figo and the Swiss president, leapt to his feet and punched to the air after Saka hit the back of the net just five minutes after Breel Embolo had opened the scoring.

At one point, the nervous Prince was seen agonising with his head in his hands and holding his hands in the air as the game went against England.

But when Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the winning penalty the Prince of Wales, wearing a suit and a blue tie, was back on his feet before the stadium erupted into Sweet Caroline.

It was his second visit to Germany after earlier attending England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark in the group stages.

Prince William was among thousands of fans in Dusseldorf for the match.

Those breathing a sigh of relief included Steven Tanner, 58, a constructor, and son Jasper, 21, a student, who are looking forward to cheering on England from their home in Holland after last night’s win.

“It’s a result, it doesn’t have to be pretty, it’s a result. I was quietly confident. A win’s a win,” Mr Tanner said.

Martin Forest, 51, retired, and daughter Louise, 22, from Norwich, said they were going to the final.

“My daughter had an exam for the first one so we missed that but we are all the way to Berlin,” he said.

Among the more flamboyantly dressed fans, Barry Daff, wearing a suit in the colours of his country’s flag, has secured a ticket for the match for an eye-watering £575 this morning.

“I travel on my own but I always meet people when I’m here,” Mr Daff, 71, from Oakham, Rutland, said. “The suit is something of a conversation starter, people just come up to me. It’s always a good bunch.

“I’m lucky, I’ve got a few bob so I can afford the ticket. I just love to travel but my wife Angela back home doesn’t like sport.”

Mr Daff, who runs his own business selling and exporting power generation equipment, said he had planned to travel out to Germany with Jack Grealish’s father, Kevin, whom he befriended in Qatar until Jack was omitted from the England squad.

“He’s back home watching the games from a pub,” Mr Daff said.

Others celebrating last night included father and daughter Mick and Eva Holmes, who travelled out to the match from their home in Sheffield.

Mr Holmes, who works in the public sector, said their tickets had cost over £1,000 and joked: “I’ll be doing a lot of overtime when I get back.”

The Prince of Wales wrote on social media: “Nail biting to the very end. Well done @‌England! Semi-finals here we come! We believe. W.”