His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge has been the proud President of the Football Association since May 2006.
Upon succeeding his uncle Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, just before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Prince William said: “I am really excited to be taking up this role.
“Football is a game I love playing and watching. It is also the national sport and generates extraordinary passions among millions of people.”
HRH the Duke of Cambridge has remained actively involved in The FA and most notably opened St. George’s Park alongside the Duchess of Cambridge in October 2012.
In a speech to the gathered guests, he underlined the significance of the new national centre.
He said: "St. George’s Park and the concept that underpins it, is something totally new. It will be far more than just a world class facility for training our future world-beating national team.
"It is more than just the university from which thousands of highly qualified coaches will graduate. It is also a magnificent example of the sort of social initiative that brings opportunity and purpose to wider British life.
“It will provide employment and a social hub for local people and, through the thousands of volunteers on which coaching relies, it will foster community spirit, purpose and hope throughout England.
"The superb medical and rehabilitation facilities that St. George’s Park possesses, offer us the clearest example of how this incredible place will help those way beyond the frontiers of football.”
The Duke regularly gives his time to The FA, including attending major meetings and matches, and supporting the national game through activities like the Respect awards. He will also support The FA in the 150th anniversary celebrations across 2013.
Looking ahead to the year, he said: “As President of The Football Association, I am very much looking forward to a great year for football in 2013.
"The FA will be celebrating its 150th anniversary and England will be hosting the UEFA Champions League Final and the UEFA Congress, as well as staging a number of important events up and down the country.
“These FA-led activities and the opening of St. George’s Park underline England’s unique contribution to the world game over a century and a half.
“The FA will use its 150th anniversary to pay tribute to those who make the game flourish at the grassroots level – the tens of thousands of weekly volunteers, the players and the fans – all those who in their own way help the grassroots game to grow and to succeed.
"Football would not be the national game without this daily injection of time and energy by so many people.”
