Loyal and royal: How the future King became a football superfan

Prince William demonstrated his deep passion for football by staying up late to watch England's victory over Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning. From his family home at Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate, he experienced the delayed start, the intense atmosphere of the Azteca Stadium, and the nail-biting finish as a 10-man England team defended their lead.

As the Patron of the Football Association, the Prince has followed every England match closely and is in regular contact with the team's players and staff, even sharing his personal phone number with several footballers. Should England reach the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19, Prince William is expected to attend as an official representative of the FA and a prominent figure of the royal family's football support.

His enthusiasm for the sport is particularly evident in his personal connection to his favored club, Aston Villa. On May 20, Prince William's official social media accounts shared posts with "W" indicating they were personally from him, including "UTV! VTID" accompanied by a red heart and a muscular arm emoji. These messages, translating to "Up the Villa" and "Villa Till I Die," were published shortly after Aston Villa secured a decisive 3-0 victory over German side Freiburg in the Europa League final. This marked Aston Villa's first European title in 44 years, harkening back to their 1982 European Cup win, the year of Prince William's birth.

“

UTV! VTID

Attending the final in Istanbul with childhood friends who also support Aston Villa, Prince William's reactions to each goal were captured on television, showcasing uninhibited "limbs" – the spontaneous shouts, jumps, and hugs characteristic of passionate football fans. Club captain John McGinn acknowledged their royal supporter in a post-match interview, stating, "He's a classy guy. He was in the dressing room before the game and he's a massive Villa fan, he was never going to miss it and it's great to have his support."

Prince William's visit to the dressing room for the post-match celebrations further solidified his connection with the fans. His genuine display of emotion and his active participation in the club's success have reinforced his credibility and standing among supporters, showcasing a side of royalty rarely seen in such a public and heartfelt manner.

“

He's a classy guy. He was in the dressing room before the game and he's a massive Villa fan, he was never going to miss it and it's great to have his support.