Prince William and son George watched Aston Villa’s valiant Champions League fightback fall agonisingly short against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
Villa faced an uphill battle after a 3-1 defeat in Paris last Wednesday in the first leg of their European quarter-final.
But they mounted a spirited comeback at Villa Park, winning 3-2 on the night, just one goal short of overturning the tie. PSG ultimately progressed 5-4 on aggregate.
William said taking his eldest child to the match in Paris was a “big deal”. The royal pair were at Villa Park to ride the emotions again, as their team couldn’t find an equaliser.
“I’ve got my son here as well, so I’m on best behaviour,” William said on TNT Sports before the French leg.
“But I thought: You know what, it’s been 43 years since anything like this has happened in my generation as a Villa fan, and I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition.
“I hope it’s not 43 years until the next one happens, but I think those memories are really important to create and bringing him along tonight is a big deal for me.”
George, 11, wore a Villa scarf and appears to have followed his father’s footsteps in supporting the Birmingham team.
William did not emulate his father, the seemingly neutral King Charles, and forged his own path by supporting Villa.
The late Queen Elizabeth II is believed to have supported Arsenal, having met the Gunners at Buckingham Palace in 2007 after she could not open the Emirates Stadium. A back injury prevented her from carrying out her royal duty.
June 1998, Prince Charles and Prince Harry, travelled on the Eurostar to Paris for the World Cup football match between England and Colombia. pic.twitter.com/Zg012sQ22Y
— Sussexes❤️👑🐼🌸 (@Sussex98) December 1, 2019
At a similar age to George, Prince Harry travelled to Lens with his father, the then Prince Charles, to watch England beat Colombia in the 1998 World Cup.
However, William has emerged as a prominent football fan in recent years. He has served as the patron of the Football Association since 2024 and its president since 2006.
When asked about his support for Aston Villa, the prince explained: “A long time ago, I got really into football at school. All my friends were Chelsea or Manchester United fans, and I didn’t want to follow the mainstream team.
“I wanted a club that was more mid-table and could provide more emotional rollercoaster moments. Aston Villa has always had a great history.”
Here are some of the best photos of William in the stands over the years.
Not quite the royal comeback
Agony at Villa Park
Three lions roar
Yes! Oh, wait … Poor decision
A head scratcher
God save the Queen
Masking his emotions
Royal seat of approval
Turning the tables
The tale of the Carew
Pure joy/or grief (we can’t tell)
‘You’ve got to hold and give and do it at the right time …’
