There were around 20,000 Aston Villa supporters packed into Besiktas Park in Istanbul to watch their side lift the Europa League trophy with a 3-0 victory over Freiburg. Among them, somewhere in that claret and blue throng, was the Prince of Wales — and his presence there was no royal box courtesy call. William has been a Villa supporter for the better part of three decades, through relegations and play-off heartbreaks, and this was his night as much as anyone else's.

"Amazing night!! Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club!" he said afterwards. "44 years since the last taste of European silverware." It was the kind of message you'd expect from a supporter who actually understands what the night meant — not a polished press-office statement, but someone who'd been holding his breath along with the rest of the Holte End faithful.

How it all started — school, solidarity and avoiding the obvious

The story of how William ended up a Villa fan rather than a supporter of one of England's more fashionable clubs is, frankly, a bit charming. He was a schoolboy in Berkshire when he started getting seriously into football, and he looked around at what his peers were following. Everyone, it seemed, was either Manchester United or Chelsea. He wanted no part of that.

"I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments," he told the BBC back in 2015. Villa, with their rich history and their capacity for both brilliance and gut-wrenching disappointment, fitted the brief perfectly.

It is worth noting that William was born just 26 days after Villa lifted the European Cup against Bayern Munich on 26 May 1982. Whether that was fate or coincidence, he has spoken about the connection he feels to a club that has seen everything — glory, struggle and everything in between.

A supporter who actually shows up

What is telling about William's relationship with Villa is that he has turned up well beyond the glamorous occasions. He was at the 2019 Championship play-off final — a fixture in a second-tier stadium, against Derby County, sitting alongside former Villa striker John Carew. That is not a visit for the cameras; that is someone who actually cares.

One of the first FA Cup matches he ever attended was a Villa game — Bolton versus Aston Villa in 2000. "I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on," he recalled, "and I was sat with all the Brummie fans and had a great time. It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with." Villa went on to lose that final to Chelsea, naturally — because this is Aston Villa, and that is what they do to you.

Unai Emery, speaking after Villa's win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League last season, was notably warm about the prince's involvement. "He's supporting us but not just now," the Villa manager said. "Two years ago when we were not in Europe he was coming to our training round, watching the session, having lunch with us. He's very humble with us."

From Villa Park to FA Patron

William's love of the game extends well beyond his own club, of course. He was appointed Patron of the Football Association in 2024, a role previously held by Queen Elizabeth II. Before that he served as FA President from 2006. He presented the FA Cup to Manchester City this past season and attended the Euro 2024 final in Germany alongside his eldest son George, where England fell 2-1 to Spain.

But for all the official duties and the dignitaries' seats, the nights that will stay with him are the Villa ones — the ups and the many, many downs that come with supporting a club built for the emotional rollercoaster. Istanbul, it is safe to say, will sit at the very top of that particular ride.

Frequently asked

Why does Prince William support Aston Villa?
Prince William started supporting Aston Villa during his school days because he wanted to avoid following the crowd, who mostly supported Manchester United or Chelsea. He was drawn to Villa's history and the emotional highs and lows that came with following the club.
Was Prince William at the Aston Villa Europa League final?
Yes. Prince William was among an estimated 20,000 Aston Villa supporters at Besiktas Park in Istanbul for the Europa League final, which Villa won 3-0 against Freiburg to end a 30-year wait for a trophy.
What is Prince William's role in football?
Prince William was appointed Patron of the Football Association in 2024, having previously served as FA President since 2006. The Patron role was previously held by Queen Elizabeth II.