A close family friend previously told PEOPLE that the Prince of Wales wants to give his kids “lots of love”
Prince George and Prince William celebrate the goal for England during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match on July 14, 2024. PHOTO:
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Prince William and Prince George let their emotions show at the UEFA European Championship.
The royal father and son stepped out in Germany on July 14 for the final between England and Spain. There, cameras caught a sweet moment between the Prince of Wales, 42, and his son, 10, as Prince William and Prince George leaped from their seats and shared a tight hug after England scored a game-tying goal in the 73rd minute of play.
Though the triumph was short-lived when Spain scored once more to win the game 2-1, their hug showed Prince William and Prince George’s bond.
Prince William is the President of the Football Association, the governing body of soccer in England, and he seems to have passed down the passion for the sport to Prince George — along with the same takes! Just like he has at past soccer matches, Prince George mirrored many of his father’s behaviors at the big game. The father and son both raised their hands to their faces during the Euro final on July 14 and jumped with joy when England scored its only goal.
Prince George and Prince William celebrate the goal for England during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match on July 14, 2024.
JEAN CATUFFE/GETTY
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Prince George also dressed like his dad’s mini-me, with the pair coordinating in navy suits with blue, white and red striped ties.
Prince William took Prince George to two soccer matches earlier this year, including an Aston Villa game in April. The Prince of Wales has long rooted for the team and told a fellow spectator that George was also “loving” following the squad.
Prince George and Prince William during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion Berlin on July 14, 2024.
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Soccer has been a source of joy for the Prince of Wales as both his wife, Kate Middleton, and his father, King Charles, are undergoing treatment for cancer.
“He has been hugely buoyed by the results of Aston Villa,” a close source previously told PEOPLE. “You shouldn’t overlook the importance of soccer in these moments.”
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Prince George and Prince William celebrate England’s game-tying goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion Berlin on July 14, 2024.
JEAN CATUFFE/GETTY
The year began on a challenging note for the family, as Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that Princess Kate, 42, would be postponing public duties following abdominal surgery. Prince William immediately cleared his calendar to be by his wife’s side and support their family, doing so again after she shared her cancer diagnosis with the world in March.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are parents to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. A close family friend told PEOPLE that the couple doesn’t have “a huge private staff” and “as a result, William is really hands-on.”
“He doesn’t want any mistakes made with the next generation. He wants to give them a proper upbringing and lots of love. That is foremost in his mind,” the friend said.
Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis, Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte at Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024.
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Prince William’s mother, Princess Diana, was memorably affectionate with him and Prince Harry when they were growing up, and the Prince of Wales seems to be bringing the same warmth to his own children.
While Queen Elizabeth and King Charles were largely raised by governesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales have taken a more hands-on approach when it comes to their children’s upbringing, with a close source previously telling PEOPLE that the couple “consciously set out to achieve a sense of normality.”
Prince William and Princess Kate were expressly given permission by Queen Elizabeth and then-Prince Charles to focus on family above royal duties.
“Royal families over the generations haven’t had the chance to get those foundations right, but they have,” said a friend.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales’ family formed a united front at Trooping the Colour on June 15, which was the Princess of Wales’ first public appearance this year. She stepped out again one month later, attending Wimbledon with her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister, Pippa, on July 14.