Kate holds court at Wimbledon as pubs win late World Cup boost
Prime Minister Keir Starmer reversed UK policy so pubs in England and Wales can stay open until 5am on Monday for England's 1am live football World Cup tie with Mexico, after Thursday's U-turn. The same morning, Catherine, Princess of Wales, led newspaper front pages in a cornflower blue suit at Wimbledon.
Friday's UK newspaper roundup paired two buzzy stories: a late-night licensing win for football fans and royal star power at SW19. For more on the celebrity side of breaking news, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Key Takeaways
- Keir Starmer confirmed pubs in England and Wales can stay open until 05:00 BST on Monday for England v Mexico.
- The round-of-16 match in Mexico City kicks off at 01:00 UK time and may not finish until at least 03:00.
- Business minister Kate Dearden had earlier said licensing rules would not be relaxed further for the 1am kick-off.
- Catherine, Princess of Wales, appeared at Wimbledon in a cornflower blue suit, with the Daily Telegraph running "Kate holds court at Wimbledon."
- Greene King said more than 600 of its pubs across England would stay open for the match.
Why can pubs stay open until 5am for England v Mexico?
England's last-16 World Cup match against Mexico kicks off at 01:00 UK time on Monday at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The game is not expected to finish until at least 03:00, and could run longer if it goes to extra time.
Earlier on Thursday, business minister Kate Dearden told MPs the government would "unfortunately" not relax licensing rules further for pubs that had not applied in time for a temporary event notice, which normally requires at least five working days' notice.
But in a U-turn later that afternoon, Sir Keir Starmer said pubs could stay open until the final whistle. The home secretary will use legislative power allowing extended alcohol licensing hours on occasions of "exceptional international, national or local significance," the Guardian reported.
What did UK newspapers call the World Cup pub boost?
The BBC's Friday front-page roundup highlighted how widely the licensing change landed. The Daily Mirror called it a "world cup pubs boost" alongside a "Mexican rave" theme, while the Metro wrote that "England fans bag another late victory" with pubs allowed open until 01:00 BST under existing rules.
The Sun framed the story as "tequila sunrise," reporting pubs could stay open until 05:00 BST after Starmer's intervention. The Daily Mail led with "England's big all-nighter," and the Daily Star went with "Mextra time!" noting calls for a bank holiday.
Sir Keir quoted the familiar line: "Football might be coming home but we're making sure fans don't have to." He added that pubs staying open until the final whistle was good news for supporters and venues that "bring our communities together."
Why did Kate hold court at Wimbledon?
Alongside the football frenzy, several papers carried pictures of Catherine, Princess of Wales at Wimbledon. The BBC noted she wore a cornflower blue suit at SW19, with the Daily Express saying she "smashes it at SW19."
The Daily Telegraph's Wimbledon coverage carried the headline "Kate holds court at Wimbledon." The Times also featured a photo of the princess waving, described as "royal blue."
The dual storylines captured a classic British summer news day: live sport, royal glamour, and pub culture colliding on the nation's front pages.
How are pubs and fans preparing for the late kick-off?
Licensing hours had already been extended for the World Cup from 23:00 to 01:00 for games kicking off from 17:00 to 21:00, and until 02:00 for kick-offs between 21:00 and 22:00. Monday's 01:00 start fell outside those windows.
Greene King said more than 600 venues across England would stay open, including sites in Birmingham, Bristol, London, Carlisle, Liverpool and Folkestone. Emma McClarkin of the British Beer and Pub Association said "the best place to watch the match is down the local."
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said emergency legislation would pass through parliament on Friday so fans could cheer England on at the pub. The RAC warned late-night supporters should not drive until fully rested and hydrated.