Prince William has explained how he chose to support Aston Villa out of fear of being a glory hunter.
The Duke of Cambridge and president of the FA has been a fan of the midlands club since his youth.
He has often been spotted in the stands for matches, and was present at the playoff final at Wembley last May to see Villa regain their Premier League status.
Speaking on That Peter Crouch podcast with the former Villa striker, William revealed how he was desperate not to follow his classmates in rooting for Man Utd or Arsenal.
And he claims his mind was made up aged 11 when he went to watch Villa in action against Bolton in the FA Cup.
"I sat there among all the Villa fans and I loved it. I thought the atmosphere was great," he recalls.
"I felt a real connection with the club. I felt Villa was a very proud Midlands club and it felt very special.
"Only in the last few years have I got a grip of Villa as my real team and I watch them a lot and I get into the stats."
Prince William said that football had taken on a greater importance to him personally since he became a father, admitting it provided a "release" for him.
No doubt he will have been watching on with bated breath on Sunday as Villa battled to stay in the top flight, doing so by earning a point away at West Ham.
Key to their survival this season has been the efforts of captain and hometown boy Jack Grealish, who scored Villa's goal on the final day.
Reports are linking the 24-year-old with a transfer to Man Utd, though despite his impressive form he is still yet to earn his first call-up into the England squad.
Asked his thoughts on Villa's talisman and the national team, William said: "Gareth [Southgate] is a legend, I really like Gareth and I think he's doing a great job with the England team."
Before adding: "That's not to say that conversations haven't been had where I give him a little nudge and say: 'Why isn't Grealish in the England squad?'"
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