The Prince of Wales dons sneakers with his suit to promote a football project improving lives at Leith Community Centre.
Prince William, the Prince of Wales, made an unexpected visit to Leith, Edinburgh, on May 21, 2025, where he showcased his football skills despite wearing a suit and sneakers. The Duke of Rothesay, as he is known in Scotland, was there to highlight how street soccer is being used as a tool to improve well-being and strengthen social connections within the community.
The visit coincided with an announcement from The Royal Foundation, which Prince William co-chairs with his wife, Princess Kate. The foundation has partnered with Street Soccer Scotland to support a new initiative called “Leith United,” aimed at revitalising the Leith Community Centre and building on existing sports-based programmes.
Leith United will bring together local organisations, including the community centre and YMCA Edinburgh, to expand soccer’s positive impact on individuals facing challenges such as mental health struggles, addiction, homelessness, and social isolation. By harnessing the power of football, the project seeks to foster belonging and support recovery in the Leith community.
During his visit, Prince William met with David Duke, founder and CEO of Street Soccer Scotland, a charity that began in Leith in 2009 and has provided free football training and personal development opportunities for socially disadvantaged adults and youth ever since. The Prince also spoke with coaches and players, many of whom have experienced homelessness, hearing firsthand how the new partnership could transform lives.
William’s passion for football is well known. Beyond his ceremonial role with the Football Association, he supports Premier League club Aston Villa and frequently attends matches with his eldest son, Prince George, 11. The pair have been seen animatedly cheering in the stands during recent games, highlighting the sport’s personal importance to him.
At the Leith Community Centre, Prince William also joined a discussion with the Edinburgh YMCA’s Youth Forum. Hosted by CEO Mike Kerracher, the forum gave young people from across Leith a platform to share their hopes and ideas for the centre’s future, ensuring that local voices help shape upcoming projects.
The Royal Foundation’s Community Impact programme, under which this partnership falls, focuses on mobilising local coalitions to enhance social connections and create opportunities through improved access to activities and community spaces. This visit is part of a broader effort across the UK to leave a lasting, positive legacy following royal engagements.
Prince William’s visit came just a day after he and Princess Kate hosted a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace. The couple is set to reunite in Scotland on May 22 to lead the naming ceremony of the new warship HMS Glasgow, underscoring their ongoing commitment to community and national events.
Time magazine recently named William and Kate among their 2025 Time100 Philanthropists, praising their modern approach to royal duties that prioritises social issues over traditional ceremonial roles. The Leith visit reflects this ethos, demonstrating how sport can be a powerful tool for community healing and cohesion
