Prince William headed to the changing rooms to celebrate with the Aston Villa players after his favourite soccer team scored a major victory and secured a place in a European final for the first time in 44 years.
Prince William celebrated in the changing rooms with the Aston Villa players after the soccer team’s historic victory on Thursday (07.05.26).
The Prince of Wales headed to Villa Park in Birmingham, England to see his favourite side take on Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final and he was seen chatting with Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and England boss Thomas Tuchel before kick off. Aston Villa won 4-0 to book their place in the Europa League final – the first time the team has made it through to a European final in 44 years – and William was visibly delighted as he cheered and sang in the stands before heading to the changing room to meet with the players.
After the game, Emery told reporters: “We spoke to the Prince William. Yes, yes, yes. He was in the dressing room with the players and with me. And of course, he’s so happy as well.”
The final scored was 4-1 on aggregate with Aston Villa going on to challenge German side Freiburg in the Europa League final which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey on May 20.
Prince William often takes his 12-year-old son Prince George so Aston Villa games with him and he treated the youngster to a trip to Paris, France last year when the side played Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final.
Aston Villa lost the game and missed out on a place in the semi-finals, but William was glad George got to see the team in action in Europe.
When TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand asked William if he was on a “lad’s tour” before the PSG game, the 42-year-old heir to the throne, William replied: “Well, I’ve got my son here as well, so I’m on best behaviour.
“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.”
Aston Villa last reached a European final back in 1982 when they defeated Germany’s Bayern Munich to win the European Cup.
Prince William celebrates with Aston Villa players after major victory
