Prince William has no plans to travel to Qatar to watch the World Cup next month, a source said on Friday, as the Gulf state is under scrutiny for its record on human rights.
According to a source close to the prince, due to "diary commitments," "there are presently no preparations for him to depart."
As head of England's national football association, the prince was reportedly anticipated to attend games, however, the source would not confirm this.
According to friends of William, he might go if England made it to the final, but only as a member of a government delegation, according to the Sun newspaper.
An AFP request for comment was denied by the FA.
William also holds the royal title Prince of Wales, and the Welsh team will join England in Qatar for their first World Cup finals since 1958.
The captain of the England team, Harry Kane, will wear armbands with rainbow colours and the message “One Love” in an anti-discrimination campaign during the World Cup. Several other captains of leading European football nations will do the same.
UK foreign minister James Cleverly has been accused of “shockingly tone-deaf” comments after telling LGBTQ fans heading to the World Cup in Qatar to respect local laws and cultures.
Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state, where the tournament begins on November 20.
Qatar has also faced criticism over the treatment of foreign workers on major infrastructure projects for the World Cup.