Prince William made a surprise appearance at a Birmingham pub on January 15, 2024, following his royal duties, where he joined local Aston Villa supporters for a meetup. The 42-year-old Prince of Wales, who had just wrapped up his first royal engagement of the year, delighted fans by buying them drinks at a Wetherspoons pub in the city’s heart.
A Day of Royal Duties and a Pub Pit Stop
Earlier in the day, Prince William had attended the inaugural Emergency and Critical Care Conference hosted by the College of Paramedics in Birmingham, where he spoke about his new role as the organization’s patron. His engagement marked a significant moment in his royal calendar, coming just one day after his wife, Kate Middleton, announced she was in remission from cancer.
Following the conference, Prince William made an unexpected stop at Wetherspoons at Birmingham New Street train station. The pub meetup was organized to coincide with his visit to the city, which is home to his beloved Premier League team, Aston Villa. The royal purchased a round of drinks for the local fans in attendance, a gesture that was appreciated by those who had gathered to catch up with the future king.
Prince William’s Aston Villa Passion
The surprise appearance came after Aston Villa reached out to the royal family, inviting Prince William to meet with Villa fans while he was in town. Steve Jones, a Villa supporter for 35 years, shared that he was amazed by William’s genuine interest in the club. The prince was up-to-date on the team’s latest developments, discussing recent transfers, the upcoming Champions League trip to Monaco, and other team news with fans.
William, who has long been a passionate supporter of Aston Villa, even mentioned his own family’s connection to the club. His eldest son, Prince George, 11, is a fan of Villa, though William joked about his children’s differing interests in soccer teams.
“Young George is a Villa fan, but he didn’t want all three kids to be Villa fans,” Jones recalled. “It was mostly about the club, but we also chatted about his family.”
Prince William’s dedication to Aston Villa goes beyond just a passing interest. The royal has been a Villa supporter since his school days, when he sought out a team that could provide the emotional highs and lows of soccer. “I wanted a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments,” he said in a 2018 interview.
The prince’s enthusiasm for Villa is well known, and his love for the sport has even led him to lose his voice at games. He made sure to rally support for the team during his speech at the College of Paramedics’ conference, telling the audience, “For any fellow Villa fans with us today – I look forward to celebrating our win over Everton later,” prompting laughter from attendees.
Prince William’s devotion to Aston Villa has proven to be a source of comfort for him, especially during difficult personal times. Sources close to the royal family have shared that following Villa’s games has provided William with a sense of relief while his wife and father were undergoing cancer treatment. “He has been hugely buoyed by the results of Aston Villa,” a close source told PEOPLE. “You shouldn’t overlook the importance of soccer in these moments.”
As Prince William continues to balance his royal duties with his personal life, his surprise pub meetup with Aston Villa fans exemplified his down-to-earth nature and genuine connection with the people of Birmingham. Whether he’s supporting his favorite football team or fulfilling his royal responsibilities, Prince William remains deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
