Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince William and Prince George felt all the emotions as they watched Aston Villa narrowly miss out on a spot in the semi finals of one of the biggest club football competitions in the world.
The Prince of Wales and 11 year old George headed to Villa Park to watch the second leg of Villa’s tie against Paris St. Germain.
The father and son had been in the stands in the French capital last week for the first leg when PSG took a 3-1 win and put themselves in a strong position for the second part of the quarter final.
Back in Birmingham, the first and second in line to the throne watched a thrilling game which saw Aston Villa come close to making their way into the final four of the Champions’ League. They were joined for the crunch game by one of George’s godparents, the Duke of Westminster, and his wife. The Duchess of Westminster was making one of her first public appearances since the couple announced they are expecting their first child.
Despite conceding two goals to the French side in the first half, a strong come back saw them with a 3-2 advantage as this second game reached the 60 minute mark. But the French defences went up and Villa were denied. The game ended 3-2 but Paris St. Germain claimed an overall 5-4 win, taking them into the semi finals and leaving Villa to do what all English teams do in this situation – concentrate on the league.
Prince William may take longer to come back to earth. He was seen cheering, shouting and bellowing in the stands as the nerves took hold in a thrilling game.
Prince George was at his side, wearing his very own Aston Villa scarf. After looking very pleased with the one Villa goal in Paris last week, George looked equally thrilled with the scores this time round and seemed to confirm that he, too, is now a fan of the Villa.
It will be some consolation for William as he, like other supporters, nurses the memory of a great European run that ended, ultimately, with defeat.