Harry: Known Arsenal fan

Prince Harry has turned his back on the sports of kings and instead he's off to France 98 to cheer on England at the World Cup finals.

The royal teenager and his father, the Prince of Wales, have booked tickets on a "soccer special" style Eurostar train to France to join in the carnival atmosphere in the world's biggest sporting event.

Thankfully, a potential constitutional crisis provoked by the pair's support for England has been narrowly averted because Wales did not qualify for the international football jamboree.

The royal pair will watch England play Colombia in Lens along with hundreds of other fans making the trip to the match on the same train, a spokesman at St James' Palace confirmed.

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It is not known whether they will be wearing England football shirts or Union Jack shorts, though many fans will be counting on the duo to take part the traditional World Cup Mexican waves and light-hearted criticisms of foreign referees.

The Prince of Wales and his son, 13, will join the scheduled Eurostar service at London's Waterloo station for the match on June 26.

Unlike most fans they will be travelling first class.

The pair will travel by rail to Lille, northern France, and then be driven to the Felix Bollaert Stadium.

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There, they will watch some of the best known names in South American football display some of their silky skills, including flamboyant Carlos Valderrama and former Newcastle United star Faustino Asprilla.

Prince Harry may also get to see some of his Arsenal heroes in action in the vital Group G match, including Ian Wright, David Seaman and Tony Adams.

England fans were allocated 14,000 tickets for the match but there could be more of them inside the ground if supporters buy tickets on the black market.

The St James's Palace spokesman said final arrangements for the trip were still being arranged.