Prince Louis of Wales during Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024 in London, England.Photo:Mike Marsland/WireImage
Mike Marsland/WireImage
It seems there’s another Aston Villa fan under the Adelaide Cottage roof!
Prince Williamhas long been an outspoken Villa fan, and his eldest sonPrince George, 11, has joined his father in the fandom. AfterPrince Louis, 6, was recently spotted wearing an Aston Villa jersey “during a kick-about” with his motherKate Middleton(perHello!), it seems William’s youngest is officially on board, as well — liking not just soccer (known as football in the U.K.), but his dad’s preferred team.
The Villa shirt “appeared to be a hand-me-down from his older brother, Prince George,”Hello!reported, and was spotted while William, Kate, George, Louis andPrincess Charlotte, 9, were at Sandringham for theroyal family Christmas celebrationsthere.
Catherine, Princess of Walesm Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2024 in Sandringham, Norfolk.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
In addition to liking professional soccer, both George and Louis play for local teams, “with Prince William and Kate often seen cheering from the sidelines,” according toHello!.
In 2020, William, 42, shared that he was letting George pick his own favorite soccer team, but “admitted, however, to being concerned when George leaned towards supporting Chelsea [a rival soccer club] at a younger age,”Hello!reported.
Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales look on alongside Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 Quarter-final first leg match between Aston Villa and Lille OSC at Villa Park on April 11, 2024 in Birmingham, England.Marc Atkins/Getty
Marc Atkins/Getty
In a year Prince Williamcalled “brutal”in November amid both his wife and father’s respective cancer diagnoses, soccer has been a bright light in a dark 2024 for the future king. The Prince of Wales has attended numerous Aston Villa matches this year, oftentimes with George in tow.
William — who serves as president of the Football Association, the governing body of English soccer — has been a Villa fan since his college days at the University of St. Andrews, where he met Kate, now 42.
“A long time ago at school, I got into football big time,” he said, perThe Sun. “All my friends were Chelsea or Manchester United fans, and I didn’t really want to follow the run-of-the-mill team. I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments. Aston Villa has always had a great history.”
William, Prince of Wales, celebrates Aston Villa’s victory on the final whistle during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Aston Villa FC and FC Bayern München at Villa Park on Oct. 2, 2024 in Birmingham, England.James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Earlier this year, when asked if George was“part of the pride”— a phrase Aston Villa supporters use to describe the team’s followers — William replied,“Oh yes, he’s loving it.”
In an October interview,Mike Tindall— who is married to Prince William’s cousinZara Tindall— said “George loves his football. I’ve played numerous times in the garden with him.”
“He’s passionate about Aston Villa, too,” he added. “Wherever he is, he’ll sit down and watch that game.”
For her part, Charlotte isalso a soccer fan, and during a 2022 visit to England’s national women’s team the Lionnesses, William called his daughter a “budding star” in the sport.
“Charlotte wanted me to tell you that she is really good at goal,” William told the team. “She said, ‘Please tell them that.’ ”
Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis attend the ‘Together At Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6, 2024 in London, England.Isabel Infantes-WPA Pool/Getty
Isabel Infantes-WPA Pool/Getty
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Though he’s been an Aston Villa fan for decades now, Prince William’s affinity for the team seems to be as strong as ever. In October,he lost his voicecheering the team on to victory, saying at an engagement the next day, “I lost my voice because I was shouting a bit too much last night.”
source: people.com