Prince William is expected to make every effort to attend the upcoming Europa League final next week, supporting Aston Villa as they prepare to face Freiburg.
The Prince of Wales was spotted in the stands last week, enthusiastically cheering on Aston Villa as they secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. This triumph has paved the way for their first major European final appearance since 1982. Though his official attendance at the final in Istanbul on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, has not been confirmed, it seems highly probable that he will be there to support his team.
Prince William hopes to be at the Europa League final
A source from Kensington Palace shared with the Daily Telegraph, “Did you see his face last week? He will find a way,” indicating his determination to be present.
After the win against Nottingham Forest, Prince William joined the Aston Villa team in the dressing room to celebrate their achievement.
Following the Nottingham Forest game, William joined the Aston Villa players to celebrate in their dressing room.
After the game, Villa boss Unai 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 day after the game, William joined royals including his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, at a Buckingham Palace garden party, where he admitted to guests he had “bags under the eyes” following a night of celebration.
Catherine laughed that her husband and their children – Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and eight-year-old Prince Louis – “make so much noise” when watching Aston Villa on TV.
She laughed: “They all make so much noise, even Louis. They wanted to go to the match but we let them stay up and watch it.”
William often takes George to 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 43-year-old heir to the throne 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.
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