Prince William confessed he found the whole experience “slightly surreal” after watching his beloved Aston Villa finally end their lengthy trophy drought.
The Prince of Wales has long been a devoted Villa supporter and was present in Istanbul as they dominated German side Freiburg 3-0 to claim the UEFA Europa League title.
It marks the first silverware Villa have secured since 1996 and their maiden European trophy since lifting the European Cup in 1982 — a month before he was born, as per
He added: “I was expecting a rollercoaster, but it’s actually gone quite smoothly hasn’t it? I was more nervous before the Nottingham Forest second leg…I felt more comfortable today.
“We sat here with Elmo [Ahmed Elmohamady] and he knew already before Youri had hit the ball that it was going in the net, he was already celebrating. I said, ‘How did you know it was going in?’ He said, ‘I’ve seen it in training.'”
It proved to be an unforgettable evening for William and the thousands of Villa supporters who had made the journey from the second city. He also praised the tremendous atmosphere throughout the match and the mutual respect shown between the triumphant Villa faithful and their defeated counterparts.
“What I loved also, the Freiburg fans sat the whole way through and supported us and we clapped for them and gave them a guard of honour. It was proper good sportsmanship, it’s always been a thing about the club, we’ve done it properly.”
Villa’s elated players subsequently welcomed him into the dressing room, where he celebrated with a few beers, before joining their families at an afterparty that stretched well into the Istanbul night.