Street-Smart Wills Whispers His Football Charms and Keeps Online Secrets
William, Prince, confesses to peculiar football routine practices.
In a heart-to-heart with The Sun, Britain's heir apparent opens up about his unconventional football fandom, revealing odd rituals, furtive online chats, and even a few beer-sipping moments with fans at local pubs.
A football fanatic at heart, Prince William wears his devotion for Aston Villa progressively, unveiling quirky superstitions and hidden online activities that stray away from the regal norm. While his devotion to football often lands him in the public spotlight, his affection for his beloved team stealthily emerges in surprising ways.
Behind closed doors at home, this 42-year-old future king finds himself pacing restlessly during disappointing games, positioning his three children – Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (9), and Prince Louis (6) – in peculiar spots across the house, hoping the rearrangement of young faces will bring change to their fortune. "If we're not playing well, I start pacing around the house and move the kids around like game pieces," admits the father of three.
Like parents everywhere, he delicately navigates the potential influence his passion may have on his kids: "I don't want to force them to be fans, but it's hard to ignore my excitement when I watch the games," confides William. Apparently, all three of them have inherited their father's footie spirit: each proudly donning the Villa jersey at times.
From Stadium Siestas to Forum Traversals
Unlike his on-field roles, Prince William spends his rare moments of leisure avidly engaging with Aston Villa fan forums - anonymously, of course. "As a die-hard fan, every so often, I find myself glued to those forums, reading and debating for hours on end," the royal admits.
With Villa's league demotion in 2016 looming over him, William admits that his fandom became more ardent as the stakes grew higher. Determined to attend as many games as possible, he found himself venturing to Birmingham for Champions League matches.
A Coach Fit for a King
In a candid conversation at Aston Villa's training center, Prince William acknowledges the impact coach Unai Emery has made on the team: "This guy is a full-on football fanatic, and he transmits that passion to the players. He's a terrific coach and someone you can truly learn from."
The Pub Scene
From the stadium to the local pub, William thrives on the camaraderie among the fans, the singing, and the roaring atmosphere that fills the air. It was an apparent pull he felt when, at a young age, he attended a match against Bolton. "The environment felt electric, and I just knew I belonged," he reminisces.
Recently, he made a memorable guest appearance at a Birmingham Wetherspoons pub, sharing a pint with fellow fans before an away game. "The time I share with the fans is like nothing else, and I wouldn't trade it for the world," William expresses.
If there's one title William prefers over "future king," it's "football fanatic." "I've been through thick and thin with this team, and I wouldn't have it any other way," he humbly confesses.
I'm not sure if his anonymity is still intact, but Prince William reveals he spends his leisure time reading and debating on Aston Villa fan forums. Despite the team's demotion in 2016, his devotion intensified, and he even traveled to Birmingham for Champions League matches.
Although he never forces his children to adopt his love for football, admitting he struggles to keep his excitement in check during games, they have all shown an interest, often seen wearing the Villa jersey.
Intriguingly, during disappointing games, Prince William engages in peculiar rituals, such as pacing around the house and rearranging his children to bring luck to the team. "If we're not playing well, I start pacing around the house and move the kids around like game pieces," he confesses.
