Prine William will take a central role at the FA Cup final - even though he will not be at Wembley.
The Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the Football Association, will be hosting an event at Sandringham.
It is part of the FA’s plans for Saturday’s showpiece event between Arsenal and Chelsea with it already titled the Heads Up FA Cup final to mark the season-long campaign to raise awareness for mental health.
Prince William will not be in attendance but will hold a formal gathering to mark his support for the campaign which he has championed throughout the season.
Prince William said: “Through this beautiful game, we want to encourage everyone to make the sound of their support heard by those who need it. We all have mental health, and we can all do more to support each other – and that starts with talking.
“I believe more than ever that football can be the catalyst that drives this change and brings us closer together.”
It will be part of a new-look final with the FA going to extraordinary lengths for the showpiece event as there will be no formal presentation to the winners as the victorious captain will just lift the trophy from a plinth on a pitch after the game.
As revealed in Mirror Sport last week, the players cannot walk up to the Royal Box to get the trophy because they would be crossing from the Red Zone to Amber Zone which breaks strict safety protocols.
Equally, the trophy and medals must stay in the Red Zone to make sure they do not become contaminated.
Both clubs will be given an extra ten places each for non-playing staff to accommodate injured players and that comes after they made a special plea for expanded numbers.
They will also 20 places each for executives and club hierarchy who will sit in the Royal Box to watch the game.
Pop star Emile Sande will perform Abide with Me from the roof of Wembley Stadium, although it will be pre-recorded and played within the stadium bowl and to the global television audience ahead of kick-off.
