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On May 9, 2026, Prince William joined the jubilant celebrations in the Aston Villa locker room following the soccer team’s landmark triumph on Thursday, May 7.
The Prince of Wales traveled to Villa Park in Birmingham, England, to watch his beloved club face Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final. Before the game began, he was spotted conversing with Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel. Aston Villa emerged victorious with a 4-0 win, securing their place in a European final for the first time in 44 years. Prince William couldn’t contain his excitement, cheering and singing from the stands before heading to the changing room to congratulate the players.
Prince William cheered on Aston Villa to victory
After the match, Emery shared with reporters, “We spoke to Prince William. Yes, indeed. He joined us in the dressing room with the players and myself. Naturally, he was immensely happy.”
The aggregate score concluded at 4-1, advancing Aston Villa to face the German team Freiburg in the Europa League final, which is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 20.
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.
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