As President of the English Football Association (FA), Prince William will front England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup, it has been announced.

Prince William showing his sporting side

He is to be made a special ambassador for the campaign and will be present at key moments in the process, like the handing over of the bid to the international body, Fifa in 2009. He will also act as guide to English stadiums and venues when delegates make their inspections.

FA bigwigs realize that, although he has only been President for a year, William has proved himself an enthusiastic and respected Patron. He is a very modern Prince who supports Aston Villa — a surprising choice for a London-based person — and is friendly with the England players.

An FA source said, “The Prince will be a huge asset. Firstly, because he is who he is, second in line to the throne. Secondly, because of the type of personality he has. He is at ease at any event. If we are trying to present a modern-day image, he represents that. He shows that a Monarchy can be up to date while understanding protocol. But he must be used sparingly.”

William’s first public engagement in the role is likely to be in 2009, when the bid documents are handed over at Fifa’s Zurich headquarters. The image of Prince William shaking Fifa President Sepp Blatter’s hand and presenting him with the bid will go around the world and do much to enhance England’s cause.

Similarly, when Blatter visits England to inspect facilities, he and his fellow Fifa dignitaries will be Royally entertained as Prince William shows them around Wembley.

Will the FA now use the obvious slogan– “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way”?

Update 3 : It’s being reported that the victim of this blackmail plot is about “to go public”. Since his name is now widely known, his side of the story should be put frankly and fearlessly.

A nephew of the Queen is being named as the victim in the Royal blackmail plot. His name is now being widely touted on the internet, including the authoritative Huffington Post, quoting the Radar publication.

British journalist Nicholas Davies, author of three books on the Royal Family, revealed the name during a phone interview on American TV. Speaking from his Surrey home, Davies told host Martha MacCullum, “This is absolute nonsense, [...] would never be involved in anything like this. It is a con trick which exploded in their face.”

The Huff reports, “British law prohibits any of them from naming the hard-partying royal. As the tale goes, two men demanded £50,000 from 45-year-old [...] in return for footage allegedly showing a royal aide talking of gay sex with him. The aide is also allegedly seen on a video tape taking cocaine from an envelope embossed with [...] name.”

The Queen will be dismayed as he was always one of the good guys, as will his wife [...].

Update : The Telegraph online is reporting that the Queen will stand by her nephew in the current blackmail case and has offered her “unswerving support”.

The paper “has learnt that the Queen, who is very fond of her relative, is dismayed by the effect the revelation of an alleged £50,000 extortion attempt is having on him and his family”.

One source said: “It is a fraught time for him. He is grateful for the support of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.”

It’s being reported in a number of Sunday newspapers that a blackmail attempt against a member of the Royal Family, involving a sex video and an envelope containing cocaine, has been foiled by Scotland Yard.

Clarence House

The attempt was allegedly made in August by two men, one 30 and another 40, who demanded payment of £50,000 ($102,500) in return for the video. That the sum was relatively small in the circumstances suggests this was carried out by amateurs rather than professional criminals.

The description of the contents of the video, which involves the participation of a Royal aide, has echoes of previous allegations, so may not involve younger members of the family. We won’t know, however, as a court hearing was held in camera and reporting restrictions are in place. Unless something pops up on the internet, we may never know the name of the alleged victim.

Update : Former Palace spokesman Dickie Arbiter has told the BBC, “It’s a vast family, there are nearly 40 members. Is it somewhere near the top? Is it in the middle, or is it down at the bottom? So they would have to determine that.

“We don’t know, we won’t know, until the case comes to trial at the Old Bailey in December, and we might not even know then, which member of the Royal Family [may be involved].

“It’s taken six weeks for it to come to light, so how serious is the allegation? It’s interesting too, that it’s come out in the Sunday Times and not one of the usual tabloid scoops. So it’s going to take the due process of the law to determine was this true or was this just another fake sting?”

Update 2 : The BBC is reporting that the alleged person involved is not a senior member of the Royal Family, and has a “low public profile”.

Prince Harry has finally flown solo as Patron of one of his four charities. As the picture shows, he certainly seemed to impress the girls.

Prince Harry at MapAction

During his visit, he met volunteers and donors of MapAction, a charity devoted to delivering maps and information to workers and NGOs in disaster zones.

Harry’s military expertise in logistics and intelligence, which he learned as a reconnaissance officer with the Blues and Royals, will be used to improve the service provided by the charity.

It is believed he will become more directly involved next year when his three-year commission with the Army is expected to end.

Prince Harry at the charity MapAction

The Prince clearly took to the Royal engagement process like a coot to a pond, impressing everyone with his warm personality and interest in people — especially the girls.