Football fans across the country were buzzing at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, and among them was none other than Prince William.
The future king showed up to watch the FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City, returning to the venue where he’d recently faced heartbreak with his beloved Aston Villa.
A Warm Welcome for Players and Mascots Before Kickoff
Before the game kicked off, Prince William made a point of personally greeting the players.
He shook hands with every starter from both teams as they lined up, soaking in the electric atmosphere at “The Home of Football.”
His friendly approach extended to the mascots too, showing his genuine love for the game and those who bring it to life.
Reflecting on a Difficult Semi-Final and Royal Duties
Just a few weeks earlier, the Prince of Wales had experienced the sting of Villa’s semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace — a 3-0 loss that dashed his hopes of seeing his team at Wembley in the final.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t even watch that match live, as he was away attending the funeral of the late Pope Francis in Vatican City.
Despite this disappointment, William played an important role during Saturday’s final.
Following tradition, he was set to present the winners’ medals after the game, a role he’s familiar with after handing out medals last year when Manchester United triumphed over their local rivals.
From FA President to Patron: William’s Deep Football Roots
Prince William’s connection to football runs deep.
He served as the president of the Football Association for 18 years before inheriting the role of patron from his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, last summer.
His passion for the sport is well-known — last year, his son Prince George even joined him at the FA Cup final, meeting legendary figures like Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester City star Jack Grealish.
A True Aston Villa Fan with a Unique Backstory
When it comes to football loyalties, William’s is a bit unconventional.
Rather than following the typical big clubs that dominated his schoolmates’ fandom, like Manchester United or Chelsea, he chose Aston Villa — a club based in Birmingham.
He explained this choice during a BBC interview in 2015, sharing how he wanted to support a team that stood out from the crowd.
Plus, there’s a special connection: Villa won the European Cup the same year he was born, in 1982, and family friends who loved the club took him to his first FA Cup match as a teenager.
Fond Memories of Early Football Experiences at Wembley
That first FA Cup game he attended was a semi-final showdown between Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa back in April 2000.
The match was a nail-biter that went all the way to penalties, but Villa came out on top — a memory that surely fired up the young royal’s passion for the sport.
Looking Ahead: Villa’s Hopeful Season and Wembley’s Football Magic
While Saturday was more about royal duties than Villa support, the Prince of Wales is no doubt keeping a close eye on his team’s progress.
Aston Villa recently secured a solid 2-0 victory over Tottenham and are eyeing a potential spot in next season’s Champions League, depending on their final matches.
All in all, Prince William’s presence at Wembley wasn’t just ceremonial — it was a reminder of his enduring love for football, his loyal support of Aston Villa, and his role as a key figure in English football’s proud traditions.