Prince William has been a passionate supporter of Aston Villa for years, frequently seen cheering on the Birmingham-based football club — most recently during their 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Back in 2015, the Prince of Wales explained his unusual choice of team to Gary Lineker: “A long time ago at school, I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends supported Man United or Chelsea, and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams. I wanted a club that was more mid-table and could give me emotional rollercoaster moments. Aston Villa’s always had a great history.”
In a new interview with The Sun, William delved deeper into his loyalty to the club, revealing a personal twist behind his connection. He joked about a sentimental link: Villa last won the European Cup in 1982 — the same year he was born.
“I had a nice connection there,” he said. “Now, looking back, maybe it wasn’t the best idea — I could’ve had a much easier time!”
Despite his long-standing admiration, William didn’t attend his first match until he was 17, when a family friend took him to a game.
“It was fantastic. I was sitting with all the fans, wearing my red beanie, surrounded by Brummies — the atmosphere and camaraderie really hooked me. I felt like it was something I could connect with,” he recalled.
Interestingly, Villa’s relegation to the Championship in 2016 only deepened William’s commitment. “Strangely, that’s when I really got into it even more,” he added.
A Shared Passion with Prince George
Prince William’s love for Aston Villa is also being passed down to the next generation. His eldest son, Prince George, recently joined him at Villa Park for a major match, and William clearly treasures sharing these moments with him.
Speaking to reporters at the game, he said: “I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition. Those memories are so important to create — bringing him along tonight is a big deal for me.”
Back in 2015, William had already hoped his son might follow in his football footsteps: “He can support whoever he wants, but if he supports Villa, that would be fantastic. I’d love to go to the odd match with him in the future.”
So far, it looks like young George is well on his way to becoming a fellow Villa die-hard.
