When the Chelsea footballer and Lioness Lucy Bronze steps onto the pitch to play Manchester United in the Women’s Subway League Cup Final in Bristol on Sunday 15 March, it’s likely that young royal football player and fan, Princess Charlotte, will be following the action.
Women’s football star Lucy, 34, who was part of England’s Euro 2022 and 2025 winning squads, famously playing with a fractured tibia in the latter, has met Prince William and his family a few times, she tells HELLO! in this exclusive interview.
“I remember the first time I met him back in 2015,” says Lucy of the royal heir. “Before every major tournament, he’s been in to see the girls at camp. One year, we had a little England shirt printed for Charlotte with her name on the back.
“Prince William’s a huge fan of ours, and I’m sure his kids are as well, so it’s really nice to get that support. He’s such an important person to the country and has such a huge influence on so many people. It would be amazing if his daughter played for England one day.”
© Getty ImagesMadonna’s footballer daughters
Charlotte isn’t the only young famous football fan.
Indeed, the singer Madonna was spotted watching a recent women’s match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in London – her 13-year-old daughters Stella and Estere play for Tottenham U14s.
“I was injured, so I missed that game, but I did see it on TV,” says Lucy. “I knew months ago, actually, that she’s been in the vicinity; she’s been around London and at football clubs.” She adds: “I think she was going to do a visit to Chelsea as well, but then she came to the game.
“It’s nice to see different people interested in and supporting the game, and someone like Madonna is an icon,” says Lucy.
© WSL Football via Getty ImagesWhen it comes to footballing advice for Madonna’s twins, Lucy shares: “I can imagine it’d be different for Madonna’s daughters because they’ll have that label, but for any little girl, including them, I think just have fun, push yourself to what your limit is.
“Your limit might be wanting to be the best player in the world. It might be ‘I just want to be with my friends on the weekend.’ Everybody has a different limit – push yourself to that until you enjoy it the most. That’s what I’ve done my whole life. I base my career on challenging myself, enjoying the challenge and enjoying the environment that I’m in.”
Lucy’s match prep
As Lucy prepares for the League Cup final being held at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium, the defender says she’s excited for the match – yet remarkably, on game day, she’s a vision of cool.
“I don’t have rituals, I don’t have superstitions – it’s always the processes I’ve done before, like I’ve been training today, I’ve been in the ice, I’ll go swimming again tomorrow. I need to do all of that to be ready, so when the game comes, I can enjoy it.”
© Getty ImagesBorn to parents Joaquin and Diane, Lucy grew up in Northumberland and started playing football with her older brother at age five.
“I joined the local team when I was eight or nine; I played with the boys until I was 12. Then I got told I wasn’t allowed to play with them anymore, so my mum had to find a girls’ team to drive me to every week.”
Her biggest fan
Her mother Diane is an inspiration to Lucy: “She’s always told me that I can do and be anything.” Fittingly, the footballer’s middle name is ‘Tough’ – Lucia Roberta Tough Bronze is her full name – which “actually comes from my mum’s side of the family” she says.
“I’ve been raised to be tough both physically and mentally, and to always push for the things that I want. I guess being told I couldn’t play with the boys… I remember my mum vividly saying, ‘Nobody tells my little girl what she can and can’t do just because she’s a girl’.”
© InstagramGiven their strong bond, it’s particularly special that the League Cup final falls on Mother’s Day this year, and Diane will be in the crowd watching. “My mum retired last year, and now one of her hobbies is coming to my games. She watches the games even if I’m not playing or I’m injured – she loves it.”
Despite all her success, Lucy is still as ambitious as ever. “With Chelsea, I want to keep pushing to make this club the best in the world. Then with England, similar – qualifying for another World Cup and trying to win.”
The success of women’s football
Progress with women’s football is in a “very good place,” she says. “I think the success will keep growing, fandom will grow, stadiums, resources, the whole game will keep growing to new heights.”
Lucy has spoken openly about her autism and ADHD, and going public was a big moment. “I probably had a more emotional reaction from talking about that than I did winning anything in football – it seemed to have a bigger effect on people. I love talking about it now and being part of the National Autistic Society.”
At home, Lucy likes to relax and spend time with her dog, Narla. “She’s like my best friend,” she smiles. “I’ve played in France, Spain – she’s come everywhere. She’s got a little dog passport.
“She thinks she’s a lion, but she’s just a little Westie. She’s got a lot of attitude.”
Hello! talked to Lucy Bronze ahead of the Subway League Cup Final on March 15th between Chelsea and Manchester United, which fans can watch on the BBC and Sky Sports.
Read the full article here
