Prince William wore his football passion openly on Thursday, May 7, as Aston Villa booked a place in the Europa League final with a 4-0 semifinal win over Nottingham Forest. The Prince of Wales was seen clapping, dancing and soaking up the atmosphere as supporters celebrated inside Villa Park. According to People Magazine, William later spent time with players and staff after the final whistle, adding a personal touch to a major night for the club he has supported for years.
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Prince William Dances to "Sweet Caroline"
The 44-year-old royal went through every emotion during the match before joining in with the post-game celebrations. Footage showed him moving along to "Sweet Caroline" as the crowd marked Villa’s dominant result. It was a rare public glimpse of William in full fan mode, far from formal royal duties and ceremonies. The team’s win means Aston Villa will now head to Istanbul, Turkey, for the Europa League final on May 20, with attention already turning to whether the prince will make the trip.
Aston Villa Reaches the Europa League Final
The result was a major one for the Birmingham club, which swept past its English Midlands rival to secure a place in the final. William’s connection to Villa has long been well established, and he has often spoken about what supporting the team means to him. His appearance after the match, including conversations with manager Unai Emery and players such as Lucas Digne and Matty Cash, showed how closely he follows the squad. This was not a routine royal stop. It was a genuine celebration of a milestone moment.
Prince George Shares His Father's Football Passion
William has also brought Prince George into that world. During a trip to Paris in April 2025, he explained why taking his eldest son to a major European night mattered so much. "I thought, 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," William told TNT Sports. The comment offered a clear sense of how deeply football memories and family traditions are tied together for him.
William's Matchday Rituals at Home
The prince has previously spoken with humor about how intense matches affect him when he is watching from home. "If we’re not doing very well, I start moving round the house quite quickly and I put the children in different positions hoping that’s going to change our luck,” William told The Sun in March 2025. That mix of nerves, superstition and loyalty helps explain why Thursday’s scenes felt so natural. For a future king, this was one of those public moments that felt refreshingly ordinary — a father, a fan and a man enjoying a huge win.
