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

[October 08, 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, amid lakes and flowerbeds.

William gave medals to 150 soccer volunteers before the game.

[Associated Press]

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