A shout of ‘Up the Villa’ rang out from the crowd at Royal Ascot yesterday, and the Prince of Wales spun round. ‘I hear people saying that now,’ William, 43, replied with a grin, pointing at the supporter who had called out. When the fan confirmed he was indeed a Villa loyalist, the future king clenched his fist and smiled in solidarity. ‘Good season,’ he said.
The exchange came as William and the Princess of Wales travelled in the horse-drawn carriage procession on the second day of the Berkshire racecourse meeting. William wore a top hat; Kate was in a bright yellow dress with an elegant hat of the same colour. The moment quickly drew praise online. ‘This is what I like about William, he’s so approachable and yet still holds that regal air without being pompous,’ wrote Stacey Illingworth on social media. Paula Ann Brown-Remnant posted: ‘Love him, he is so down to earth & I bet he would be a good laugh in a pub after a few pints lol.’
“Prince William joked with a fellow Aston Villa fan at Royal Ascot, calling the club's season 'good' after their Europa League win.”
William’s reference to a ‘good season’ was no idle compliment. His beloved Aston Villa thrashed SC Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul in May to win the Europa League – their first European silverware in 44 years. Villa also finished fourth in the Premier League, securing Champions League football next season under coach Unai Emery. “It’s been a long time coming,” William seemed to suggest.
The prince began supporting Villa during his school years at Eton because he wanted a club outside the usual popular choices. Last month, after the cup triumph, he visited the dressing room and had a beer with the players. Defender Matty Cash recalled: ‘He was in there having a beer with us. He’s just delighted. He’s such a big supporter. He’s always coming to the training ground, always at Villa Park. And he deserves moments like these and hopefully he can let his hair down.’
William also took to Instagram to congratulate the team: ‘Amazing night! Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club! 44 years since the last taste of European silverware!’ As he sat beside Kate in the carriage, the 'Down to Earth' prince soaking up another royal occasion, one fan's verdict seemed to capture the mood: ‘Catherine looks stunning, as always, the yellow is beautiful on her,’ wrote Beverley Cosgrove. But it was William's down-to-earth banter that stole the show – and left Aston Villa fans dreaming of more glory to come.