Is this the best we can do? No10’s England bunting display ahead of Lionesses’ World Cup showdown pales in comparison to decorations for men’s

• Sunak’s England bunting at No10 less extravagant than Johnson for men’s Euros

The England flag bunting display adorning No10 ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup showdown against Spain on Sunday seems to pale in comparison to the decoration put out for the men’s team before the Euro 2020 final.

Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson laid out double rows of St George’s flags along the railings outside Downing Street in 2021, but Rishi Sunak’s decorations feature just one line of flags.

The metal archway outside the iconic No10 door today features a single line of bunting, but in 2021 a intricate loops connecting it to the railings.

Just three larger flags in windows, two with the Three Lions shield flanking the black door and three in the windows directly above, have been put on display this year to support the Lionesses.

But for the men’s team Euro final, Boris’s No10 displayed nine England flags, two next to the front door and nine attached the windows on the second floor.

The England flag bunting display adorning No10 ahead of the Lionesses’ World Cup showdown against Spain on Sunday seems to pale in comparison to the decoration put out for the men’s team before the Euro 2020 final

LITTLE LION: Larry the cat didn’t seem to impressed with the effort put in by Rishi Sunak’s team to celebrate the Lionesses

Just three larger flags in windows, two with the Three Lions shield flanking the black door and three in the windows directly above, have been put on display this year (left). But for the men’s team Euro final, Boris’s No10 displayed nine England flags, two next to the front door and nine attached the windows on the second floor (right)

Boris Johnson draped England colours all across No10 and stood outside waving his own flag as Euro fever gripped the nation in 2021

A member of staff erecting the St. George’s flag bunting at Downing Street earlier today

Ahead of the men’s final, the former PM appeared outside Downing Street proudly waving an England flag – but Mr Sunak has not taken the same opportunity to support the Lionesses today.

And Prince William is continuing to keep a low profile as the row deepens over his decision to snub the Lionesses’ World Cup final in favour of a family holiday. 

Kensington Palace confirmed earlier this week that the Prince of Wales, who is president of the Football Association and therefore responsible for promoting the game nationally and internationally, would not be making the trip Down Under.

He will instead be roaring on the Lionesses – who are representing England in its first World Cup final since 1966 – from home.

Since sending a tweet to congratulate the team on their semi-final triumph over Australia on Wednesday, the heir to the throne has not been seen in public, as pressure grows over his absence from Sunday’s showpiece event.

The cost of the trip and carbon footprint were cited as reasons for the prince not to go.

Palace sources also said it might be considered tactless for William to return for the first time in almost a decade to publicly cheer England on in the finals they put Australia out of the tournament to get there.

But critics continued to round on the prince today, as the government frantically scrambled Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to Sydney to support Sarina Wiegman’s side. 

Kensington Palace confirmed earlier this week that the Prince of Wales, who is president of the Football Association and therefore responsible for promoting the game nationally and internationally, would not be making the trip Down Under

However, the row was intensified when the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed that Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofia, will be in Sydney, ‘to show, once again, the royal household’s support for national football’

England’s Lionesses booked their place in the World Cup final against Spain with a famous victory over Australia on Wednesday

Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, told MailOnline today: ‘It’s utterly ridiculous that England wasn’t and still isn’t prepared to celebrate the women’s World Cup final. 

READ MORE: Churches will screen the Lionesses’ bid for World Cup final glory after senior bishops give approval to clergy to livestream the match on Sunday 

‘The President of the Football Association, Prince William isn’t bothering to attend, licensing laws haven’t been relaxed, there won’t be a screen at Trafalgar Square, and there’s been no word of any kind of large celebration should they win. 

‘This last minute scramble to show support for the Lionesses by our leaders isn’t just embarrassing, it reveals how little they think of women’s sport. 

‘You can guarantee that there’s no way the men’s football team would be treated with such disregard and disrespect.’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will also be absent, due to ‘existing Government business commitments’, but will be ‘cheering the Lionesses on from Yorkshire’, a source said. 

Labour MP Kate Osborne told Times Radio: ‘We all know that if this was the men’s final, Sunak, and the FA president, Prince William, would be in attendance no matter how long the flight to Australia is.’

Gerry Sutcliffe, who served as sports minister under Gordon Brown between 2007 and 2010, told the Telegraph: ‘I think the Prince of Wales should be there.

‘I know it’s a long way and I’m sure he has family commitments but this is a unique moment, it’s the World Cup final.’

Neither William nor Mr Sunak attended any of the England men’s World Cup games in Qatar last winter.

However, the row was intensified when the Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed that Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofia, will be in Sydney, ‘to show, once again, the royal household’s support for national football’.

The pair will sit in the presidential box at the Accor Stadium, but won’t be joined by King Felipe, who is busy with other official duties.

Letizia visited the Spanish team in Madrid before they travelled to the tournament, watching them train and being presented with a personalised jersey.

She ended the visit with ‘a motivational speech that resonated deeply with the players and coaching staff’, the federation said.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said yesterday that bosses had always known William would not be attending, but that he had been a ‘brilliant supporter of the team throughout’. 

The heir to the throne led tributes to the Lionesses following their historic 3-1 semi-final win over Australia on Wednesday, describing it as a ‘phenomenal performance’.

He added: ‘Commiserations to @TheMatildas, you’ve played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup.’

His father, King Charles III, also sent a personal message to Sarina Wiegman and her team after they booked their place in the final.

The monarch said: ‘My wife and I join all our family in sending the mighty Lionesses our warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the World Cup, and in sharing our very best wishes for Sunday’s match.

‘While your victory may have cost the magnificent Matildas their chance for the greatest prize in the game, both teams have been an inspiration on and off the pitch – and, for that, both nations are united in pride, admiration and respect.’

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