Keir Starmer has insisted it ‘looks like’ football is coming home after watching part of England’s Euros victory at the Nato summit in Washington.

The PM took time out from the summit to catch some of the match alongside Dutch counterpart Dick Schoof.

In a video posted on social media, Sir Keir stood and gave a small fist-pump as Harry Kane score England’s equaliser.

Later Joe Biden joked that Sir Keir – who is expected to attend the final in Berlin on Sunday – was responsible for England’s Euro 2024 success.

‘It’s all because of the Prime Minister,’ Mr Biden said as they met in the White House’s Oval Office.

Asked by reporters if football was ‘coming home’ after the late Ollie Watkins strike, Sir Keir replied: ‘It looks like it.’

He also quipped that England ‘haven’t lost a game under the Labour Government’. 

Sir Keir is an ardent Arsenal fan, but during the election campaign seemed keen to keep a lid on his national allegiances.

He was accused of refusing to wear an England shirt while watching Euros matches to avoid offending Scots – as Labour hoped to seize a swathe of seats north of the border.  

Sir Keir watched the game with the Netherlands’ Prime Minister Dick Schoof and shook his hand after celebrating Harry Kane’s equalizer

At full-time, the newly elected leader attended a meeting at the Oval Office with US President Joe Biden

The PM had previously said he believed he would be relying on officials secretly passing him notes to keep track of the game during a meeting of Nato’s North Atlantic Council.

Read More

Adele and Ed Sheeran cheer England to victory in Euros semi final against the Netherlands

He told reporters: ‘I understand our phones are all taken off us, when we go into the council, so I’ve no doubt we’ll be passed lots of notes with really important information about the summit, and one or two of those notes hopefully will be an update on the score, because I’m not going to be able to get it otherwise.

‘I’ve sent a message to the team, obviously I wish them well, I want them to win, and let’s hope they can do it tomorrow.’

In a post on X after the game, he said: ‘What a game @England and what a winner. Berlin here we come!’

Starmer was not the only one to send a message to the England team after Wednesday’s win, as King Charles cheekily urged Gareth Southgate’s side to avoid ‘more penalties drama’ for the sake of the nation’s stress levels in Sunday’s final.

Charles and Prince William sent the players the royal family’s ‘very best wishes’ and ‘warmest congratulations’ following the historic 2-1 win.

During the election campaign Sir Keir was accused of refusing to wear an England shirt while watching Euros matches to avoid offending Scots – as Labour hoped to seize a swathe of seats north of the border 

King Charles (pictured) has cheekily urged England to avoid ‘more penalties drama’ for the sake of the nation’s stress levels

The monarch congratulated England on their 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday night

Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins led the celebrations after scoring a 90th minute winner

Prince William also congratulated the England squad. He was not in attendance for the semi-final but he joined the wild celebrations when Bukayo Saka scored against Switzerland last Saturday

But the King quipped about the recent drama endured by England fans, including a last-gasp equaliser in the second round against Slovakia and a penalty triumph against Switzerland in the quarter-final, asking them to watch out for the nation’s blood pressure in the final clash with Spain.

He said: ‘My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the U.E.F.A. European Championship – and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match.

‘If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!

‘Good luck, England.’

The Prince of Wales, who is a Villa fan, also congratulated England and singled out Watkins for praise in a message on social media.

He said: ‘What a beauty, Ollie! Congratulations England! #EURO2024 Finalists.’

It is understood William, who is president of the Football Association, is likely to travel to Berlin for the final on Sunday.