Prince William’s loyalty to Aston Villa was unmistakable at Royal Ascot yesterday, where he shared a light-hearted exchange with a fellow football supporter about the club’s impressive campaign.
During the second day of racing in Berkshire, the Prince and Princess of Wales took part in the traditional carriage procession, with William, 43, appearing especially cheerful throughout the occasion.
The couple also coordinated their look for the event. Kate, 44, wore a striking yellow £1,095 Roksanda ensemble, styled with a matching wide-brimmed Pomona hat by Jane Taylor Millinery, while William complemented her outfit with yellow flowers fastened to his lapel.
As spectators gathered for a glimpse of the future King and Queen, one enthusiastic royal watcher in particular managed to catch William’s attention.
“Up the Villa!” the fan called out, prompting laughter from those nearby. Clearly amused, William replied: “Oooh, I think people are saying that now. Are you?”
When the onlooker indicated they did indeed back the Birmingham club, William responded with a raised hand and an eager nod before joking: “Good season,” followed by a chuckle.
The hilarious interaction was quickly praised by royal fans who took to Instagram to share their joy at the ‘brilliant’ prince.
‘They seem so lovely and down to earth,’ commented one fan. ‘He’s going to make a great King’.
As the Prince and Princess of Wales travelled in the carriage procession for the second day of races yesterday, a jovial William appeared in high spirits for the annual sporting event in Berkshire
‘Up the Villa!,’ one onlooker shouted out in excitement, to which the crowd erupted into laughter before a gleeful William responded: ‘Oooh, I think people are saying that now. Are you?’
Another added: ‘This is just gorgeous! The laughter and love they radiate! Our future King and Queen!’
Other avid fans described the royal couple as ‘such genuinely grounded people’ and believed the heartwarming moment showed William is ‘such a normal man’.
‘He’s so lovely. He has his mother’s eyes and kind heart,’ another added.
William’s passionate support for Aston Villa spans decades, with the royal first deciding to follow the team during his time at Berkshire’s Ludgrove School.
And in recent months, the prince – patron of the Football Association – has been spotted front and centre at several of the team’s matches, with one poignant image capturing William becoming overcome with emotion last month.
The Birmingham-based football club seems a somewhat surprising choice for Britain’s future King, who is often seen supporting the team at both home and away games.
Deliberately resisting the pull of the more popular teams, William, 43, quickly became a die-hard Villa supporter during his school days and has not looked back since.
‘A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn’t want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams,’ he told the BBC in 2015.
The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out at Royal Ascot yesterday for the second day of races – a poignant event for Kate in particular who had not attended Ascot since 2023
Princess Catherine wore bright yellow outfit from Roksanda, worth £1,095
‘I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.’
William was born 26 days after Villa’s last European victory – when they lifted the European Cup after defeating Bayern Munich on May 26, 1982.
‘Aston Villa’s always had a great history. I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000. Sadly, Villa went on to lose to Chelsea (in the final),’ he said.
‘It was fantastic, I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on, and I was with all the Brummie fans and had a great time.
‘It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with.’
The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out at Royal Ascot yesterday for the second day of races – a poignant event for Kate in particular who had not attended Ascot since 2023.
To finish off her bright yellow ensemble, Kate opted for nude Gianvito Rossi heels, an Anya Hindmarch clutch, Queen Elizabeth’s diamond earrings and Princess Diana’s pearl necklace, worn as a bracelet.
Catherine looked elated to be back in the Windsor Enclosure, enjoying the company of other royals, including Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto, as well as her mother, Carole Middleton.
She was joined by King Charles, 77, Queen Camilla, 78, who looked typically elegant in a cream coat dress from Dior, and Princess Anne.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh opted for coordinated black outfits, as Sophie appeared to hold onto her hat as the wind threatened to take it off her head.
Also in attendance was Lady Gabriella Windsor, the daughter of the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who chose a stunning pastel blue dress for the prestigious British racing event.
Last year, royal fans were left disappointed after Kensington Palace confirmed Catherine would skip Ascot to focus on her recovery after completing a preventative course of chemotherapy.
Catherine announced she is in remission from cancer last January as she embarked on a gradual and measured return to public duties.
Royal fans will undoubtedly feel a sense of relief about the princess’s recovery after she attended both Trooping the Colour and the Order of the Garter Service this week.
After the service, Prince William and Catherine were whisked back to Windsor Castle by a royal carriage as fans gushed the princess looked ‘absolutely stunning’.
Writing on X, one person said: ‘She looks perfectly lovely. The hat is perfection.’
Another person noted Catherine’s ‘close friendship’ with the Duchess of Edinburgh was on full display at the ceremony, writing: ‘Lovely to see her and Sophie having a laugh.’
Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, started on Tuesday with the Queen Anne Stakes and the King Charles III Stakes, and will run until Saturday.
