The Duke of Cambridge kicked off the first football match to be played at Buckingham Palace - after warning that any players breaking windows would answer to the Queen.
Two of England's oldest amateur clubs - Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC - took to the pitch marked out in the Queen's garden for a competitive amateur league fixture.
Before kick-off, William, who helped to organise the match, shook hands with the players. The Prince even got involved in a kickabout and was spotted wearing a bright orange pair of boots.
Pitch fit for a king: Polytechnic FC (in blue) play Civil Service FC in a
Southern Amateur League football match on a pitch set up in the grounds of Buckingham
Palace on Monday afternoon (below)
Flash: Prince William trains on the pitch in a seriously bright pair of orange boots
Check the technique: The Duke of Cambridge shows his skills in a warm-up exercise
William also met referee Howard Webb, who has taken charge of World Cup and Champions League finals and recently held the whistle for the Premier League Manchester derby match.
The Duke was joined by former England striker Michael Owen and FA chairman Greg Dyke and joked with the Polytechnic players: 'Michael's available as a super sub.'
The two teams, who play in the senior division one of the Southern Amateur League, warmed up in the autumn sunshine before the match began.
Civil Service FC is the sole surviving club out of the 11 which founded the FA in the Freemasons' Tavern in Great Queen Street, London, in 1863 and later drafted the 13 original laws of association football. Polytechnic FC was formed in 1875.
The Civil Service team presented William with two tiny tops for his son, Prince George - one red and the other white, both with 'HRH 1' on the back.
Prince among men: The Duke of Cambridge (back row, centre) lines up for a team photo with Polytechnic FC
... and Prince William also lind up with the Civil Service FC prior to their match
Where are your boots, Micheal? Former England striker Owen (centre) in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace
Only at Buckingham Palace... Butlers bring on oranges during the half-time break
Earlier, the Duke paid tribute to football's unsung heroes by honouring 150 grassroots volunteers during a Palace reception.
William, president of the Football Association, presented the hard-working helpers with medals recognising their efforts, part of the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations.
He told the guests: 'At its best, football is a powerful force for good in society. It binds people from different backgrounds, communities, faiths and abilities - and gives them a common interest, a unifying identity.
'I believe, over its 150 years, football has remained a wonderful example of the power of community and of our ability to come together to organise and to enjoy a simple pastime.'
William joked that if a window was smashed, the footballer responsible would have to face his grandmother.
He said: 'This magnificent home, Buckingham Palace, is at the heart of the nation, and so there cannot be a more fitting setting to celebrate our national game, and to celebrate all of you.'
Speaking about the Queen, he added: 'One warning, though: if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her.'
Heads or tails: The Duke of Cambridge (right) watches as referee Howard Webb (third left) toss the coin
From pillar to posts: The goals are set up and ready to go in the grounds before kick-off
Making history: The game is the first ever football match to be held at Buckingham Palace
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