Why is Prince William an Aston Villa fan? Royal gets emotional watching last night's football match
Prince William was spotted among the supporters during Aston Villa’s UEFA Conference League semi-final match against Olympiacos last night.
As a self-described Clarets fan, the Prince of Wales refused to miss one of the team's most memorable nights.
Alongside his companions, who had joined him in the opulent VIP sitting area of the 42,640-seat stadium, the Prince of Wales was lively and seemed to experience a spectrum of emotions.
His demeanour before the game was tense but focused; he was spotted waiting for the game to start with his lips pursed. He then let out a joyful fist pump as he believed Leon Bailey had given the hosts the lead, but his goal was disallowed following a foul.
William visited Villa Park the same week that he celebrated his 13th wedding anniversary with Catherine, Princess of Wales and on same day his daughter Princess Charlotte turned nine.
Prince William and Prince George were again spotted last month during Villa's Europa Conference League quarter-final match against Lille.
It was the first time the son and father were seen in public since the Princess of Wales revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer.Following her video message in March announcing that she was receiving cancer treatment, the Wales family has been spending some quiet time together over the Easter break.
Why does the prince support Villa?
Prince William explained why he chose Villa back in 2015 while speaking with BBC Sport’s Gary Lineker: "A long time ago at school, I got into football big time. All my friends were Chelsea or Manchester United fans, and I didn't really want to follow the run-of-the-mill team.
"I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments. Aston Villa has always had a great history."
Other famous Aston Villa fans
Prince William isn’t the only famous supporter of the historic lub.
Actor Tom Hanks is also a huge fan of the Claret & Blue. He explained on James Corden’s Late Late Show in 2019 that he became a fan while watching the football scores on BBC one morning in London, and became fascinated with the name Aston Villa.
He said: "I thought ‘Aston Villa’, what a lovely vacation spot! Aston Villa... Its beautiful villa, you throw open the French doors, there’s the beautiful port of Aston down below you.
"And it turns out it’s in Birmingham. There’s nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with Birmingham. But it’s not a town for light-hearted, I tell you that. So I’m a dedicated Aston Villa fan since then. I’ve seen them play once, a friendly in the USA, so yes, I support them."
Other big supporters of the club include Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler.
Premier League referee Andre Marriner, former prime minister David Cameron, Doctor Who actor Arthur Darvill and Harry Potter actor Argus Filch are also big fans of the team.
Which football team does King Charles support?
King Charles made it very clear that he supported Burnley at a Windsor Castle reception in 2012, where he answered questions from the public.
The King said: “A consortium of my charities, including the British Asian Trust, has been working in Burnley.
“Hence, some of you asked this evening whether I support a British football club and I said ‘yes, Burnley’.
“And people have responded ‘Burnley?’ Oh yes, because Burnley has been through some very challenging times and I’m trying to find ways of helping to regenerate and raise aspirations and self-esteem in that part of the world.”
