Prince William was never going to let anything get in the way of seeing his beloved Aston Villa lift their first European trophy in over 40 years.
And it seems not even a call on his mobile phone could tear him away from celebrating his team’s victory in the Europa League final against Freiburg. The Prince of Wales travelled to Istanbul for the big final and was seen celebrating as Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers fired Villa home to victory.
The future King looked emotional as he celebrated the historic win and was even seen whipping out his phone to film the pre-match build-up as well as the players lifting the Europa League trophy.
And one clip, which has gone viral on social media, shows William from behind while filming on his phone – and having to bluntly reject a call, which comes up just as he is recording the celebrations.
The clip shows the prince taking a video and zooming in on the players before the screen shows an incoming call. But in a blink and you’ll miss it moment, William rejects the call with speed so he can immediately get back to filming. It’s not clear who the call is from.
Writing on X, one fan said: “Man was like, allow me to enjoy the moment nah.” While another said: “Bro did not think twice about his decision to cut the call.” Another joked: “He dropped dead that call in a second, I’m dying” and another wrote: “The match was way too important than any call. Every other thing can wait!!”
After the match, Kensington Palace published William’s message to 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!”
View 2 ImagesWilliam celebrates at the final whistle (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder)
William also met the hosts of an Aston Villa fan podcast after the club’s victory, as he told them he was a listener himself.
Dan Rolinson and Mat Kendrick, who host the Claret & Blue Podcast, released a new episode on Thursday in which they described their meeting with William after the match in Istanbul on Wednesday evening.
In the episode, which was also filmed and posted on YouTube, Kendrick said he made eye contact with William while talking with fans after the end of the game at Tupras Stadium, before the prince “summoned” him and Rolinson to “come here and have a chat”.
Kendrick added that the prince “called us by name”, saying “Mat, Dan” as he asked them to come and meet him a few rows higher in the stands.
The pair said they “scrambled over seats” to meet William in the directors’ box, having to decline some chats with fans as Kendrick apologised and told them “this is our moment”.
Article continues below
Rolinson started recording a video as the prince, and Kendrick shared a hug, with the prince saying, “what an amazing night, uh, what an amazing night”.