While fans soaked in the glory of Crystal Palace’s historic FA Cup win, there was one spectator watching with mixed emotions—Prince William.
Though he’s a lifelong Aston Villa supporter, the Prince of Wales was all grace and smiles as he congratulated the team that knocked out his beloved club on their way to the top.
Three weeks earlier, Palace had cruised past Villa with a dominant 3-0 win in the semi-finals—a match William couldn’t attend due to his official duties at the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City.
But come final day at Wembley, the future king made sure he was present to witness football history unfold.
Eze Delivers Glory as Palace Seals Their First Major Trophy
The match itself was one for the ages. Eberechi Eze stepped up as the hero, scoring the only goal in a tight 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
That goal didn’t just win the match—it delivered Crystal Palace their first-ever major trophy in 120 years.
The scenes at Wembley were electric, and the celebrations had barely begun when the royal handshake line came into view.
Prince William greeted both sets of players before kickoff and later handed over the winners’ medals to the triumphant Palace squad.
But it was a quiet exchange during the post-match celebrations that really caught attention.
Glasner Reveals What Prince William Said After the Final
Palace boss Oliver Glasner was asked about his brief chat with the Prince, and his response offered a glimpse into William’s sportsmanship.
“You know he’s an Aston Villa fan…” Glasner said, smiling, during his post-match press conference.
But even with the sting of his team’s semi-final defeat still fresh, William remained gracious.
“No, no, he congratulated all of us for our performances,” Glasner added, shifting to a more serious tone.
The Austrian manager praised William’s demeanor and said the royal encounter was respectful and encouraging—something he’ll clearly remember from the win.
Prince William’s Love for Villa Runs Deep
There’s no question that Prince William is a passionate football fan.
Not only has he long supported efforts to bring major international tournaments to England, but he’s also a regular face at Villa Park.
Just this season, he’s been spotted at several Aston Villa matches—sometimes accompanied by his son, Prince George, especially for big Champions League nights.
And his love for Villa isn’t some PR move. Back in 2015, he told the BBC that he deliberately chose not to support popular teams like Manchester United or Chelsea, which most of his schoolmates were rooting for.
Instead, he picked Aston Villa to stand out—and the rest is royal footballing history.
From Royal Fandom to FA Cup Fairytales
So while Prince William didn’t get the fairytale ending for his team this season, he certainly showed a touch of class in defeat.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, wrote their own Cinderella story—and even the future monarch could tip his hat to that.