Prince William has let it be known he is keen to assist with England's World Cup bid.

"He is very supportive of the bid and will do his part in whatever way the FA deems appropriate," a spokesman for the Prince, who took over as president of the sport's governing body from the Duke of York in 2006, told the Sunday Telegraph.

"Prince William is heavily involved and will remain so until the winning bid is announced in December 2010."

Although the Queen is not involved, her grandson, an Aston Villa fan, is eager for England to stage its first World Cup since it won the tournament in 1966.

There have been suggestions that the FA, of which Lord Triesman, the former Labour minister, is chairman, is reluctant to rely on William, who disappointed some of those involved in London's successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Rather than travel to Singapore to support London's presentation to the International Olympic Committee in 2005, he joined the British Lions on their rugby tour of New Zealand.

A friend of the Prince tells me, however: "There is no question mark over his commitment to the World Cup."

Andy Anson, the chief executive of the 2018 bid, has said: "We will use those individuals like David Beckham and, hopefully, members of the Royal family in our own time and in the right place. They are important to our bid and on board."