Prince William booed when he hit players during the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium

The Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the FA, was mocked by fans as he was introduced to the Liverpool and Chelsea players just before kick-off

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Prince William is booed by the Wembley crowd at the FA Cup Final

Prince William was booed by football fans at Wembley Stadium during the FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Duke of Cambridge, who is President of the FA, was mocked by fans as he was introduced to the Liverpool and Chelsea players just before kick-off.

Obscene gestures then featured in God Save The Queen and the anthem Abide With Me, traditionally sung at English football’s flagship event since 1927.

The behavior of the fans involved has since sparked anger in the political landscape.

Commons spokesman Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “I condemn in the strongest possible terms all the fans who booed Prince William at Wembley Stadium today.

“The FA Cup Final should be an opportunity for us to come together as a country. It shouldn’t be ruined by the utterly shameful behavior of a minority of fans. In this year of all years – the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – it’s terrible.”

Conservative MP and former Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “It is totally unacceptable and shameful that fans have booed Prince William. I would urge the FA to take all necessary action and prosecute those responsible.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “We have the most wonderful monarch and these fans who have been booing do not represent their clubs or our country.”

Liverpool Echo football author Connor O’Neillmeanwhile explained why fans of the Anfield club are choosing to distance themselves from the national anthem.

“The origins of why the red half of Merseyside booed the national anthem can be traced back to the 1980s,” he said.

“The city’s ‘managed decline’ by the Conservative government was then followed by the government’s failures in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, which further reinforced those sentiments. One flag regularly sighted at Anfield reads ‘Scouse not English’ and will most likely at most exhibited games.

“While in recent years the people of Merseyside continue to feel let down by the state and believe the food banks outside of Anfield and Goodison (Park, home of Everton FC) are evidence of rising inequalities.”

Liverpool emerged victorious, beating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after extra time. It was the club’s eighth FA Cup triumph and first since 2006.

There was no cheering when William then presented the winners’ medals to the Reds players.