Prince William returned to the stands for a high-profile soccer match this weekend.
The Prince of Wales, 43, attended the 2026 Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, May 16, where Chelsea faced Manchester City. While William is well-known as a passionate football fan, his presence at the game was also in an official capacity, as he serves as the patron of the Football Association, England’s governing body for the sport. In this role, he regularly attends major matches—including the FA Cup final—and presents the trophy to the winners.
Though focused on the match, William’s enthusiasm for the sport is particularly visible when cheering for his favorite team, Aston Villa. Earlier this month, he was in the stands in Birmingham, candidly supporting Aston Villa as they defeated Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semifinal to secure a place in the final, set for May 20 in Istanbul, Turkey.
The day after that match, William and Kate Middleton attended a Buckingham Palace garden party. Speaking to guests, the royal admitted to having “bags under the eyes” from his late night, according to The Telegraph.
William has also shared his love of football with their three children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8. Kate told guests at the garden party that while the children wanted to join their father for the Thursday night game, the family compromised by allowing them to stay up and watch it from home. “They all make so much noise, even Louis,” she said.
The Prince of Wales has previously brought the children to matches and described their at-home rituals. In an interview with The Sun in March 2025, he explained, “If we’re not doing very well, I start moving round the house quite quickly, and I put the children in different positions hoping that’s going to change our luck.”
Even as an official representative of English football, it’s clear that William’s personal passion for the sport—and the family’s spirited support—remains front and center.
