Buckingham Palace soccer: 'Don't break a window'

[October 07, 2013]  LONDON (AP) --  It's all well and good to play soccer on the beautiful lawns at Buckingham Palace, but don't break a window.

That was Prince William's message Monday in advance of the first-ever competitive match held on the extensive palace grounds.

"I cannot tell you how excited I am that later today we will be playing football (soccer) on my grandmother's lawn," he said before the game. "One warning, though: if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her."

The game features two amateur teams, Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC, playing in a Southern Amateur League match.

The soccer pitch was easily accommodated in the 39 acres of gardens, which also includes lakes, shrubs and flowers.

William gave medals to 150 soccer volunteers before the game.

[Associated Press]

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