The Prince of Wales, Prince William, was seen in Birmingham on Thursday evening, attending a crucial Europa League football match at Villa Park. The royal, aged 43, watched his beloved Aston Villa take on Austrian side RB Salzburg, with onlookers noting his visibly tense and animated reactions throughout the game.
Royal Passion on Display at Villa Park
Prince William was observed pulling intense facial expressions and raising his hands to his face during key moments of the match, clearly engrossed in the drama unfolding on the pitch. His presence at the stadium underscores his longstanding dedication to the Birmingham-based football club, despite never having lived in the city himself.
A Lifelong Connection to Aston Villa
In a 2015 interview with the BBC, the Prince explained the origins of his fandom, revealing that he chose to support Aston Villa as a young boy to avoid following what he called "the run of the mill teams" like Manchester United or Chelsea. He sought a club that could provide "more emotional rollercoaster moments," and found it in Villa's rich history and community spirit.
"Aston Villa's always had a great history," Prince William said. "I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton vs Aston Villa back in 2000. Sadly, Villa went on to lose to Chelsea."
Memorable Fan Experiences
The royal recounted attending that match disguised in a red beanie, sitting among Birmingham supporters. "It was fantastic," he recalled. "I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on, and I was sat with all the Brummie fans and had a great time. It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with."
Further reinforcing his connection, Prince William noted in 2020 that being born in 1982 – the year Aston Villa won the European Cup – made the club's history feel "quite close" to him. He also mentioned being inspired by players like Paul Merson, whose performances despite personal struggles resonated with him.
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
The Prince has regularly taken his son, Prince George, to matches at Villa Park, ensuring the family's support for the club continues into the next generation. This tradition highlights how his fandom has become a cherished part of royal family life, blending personal passion with public appearances.
Thursday night's visit to Birmingham demonstrates that Prince William remains as committed as ever to his chosen team, sharing in the highs and lows that define football fandom. His visible tension during the Europa League clash against RB Salzburg served as a powerful reminder that even royalty experiences the universal emotions of sports supporters.
