Prince William and George seen at Aston Villa match in their first public appearance since Kates cancer announcement
The future kings celebrated the club’s 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal.
The Prince of Wales and his eldest son, Prince George, attended an Aston Villa football game together in what was their first public outing since the Princess of Wales’ cancer announcement.
Prince William was seen smiling and applauding in the stands of Villa Park in Birmingham, while 10-year-old George sported a Villa-branded scarf.
The pair celebrated the club’s 2-1 victory against Lille in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal.
At one point, William was seen turning to his son to say something as he applauded Ollie Watkins’ opening goal for the club.
It is the first time the family has been seen publicly since March 22, when the Princess of Wales revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy after doctors found cancer during planned abdominal surgery.
William, Kate, and their three children missed the Easter Sunday service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle following the announcement, despite attending last year.
In a video released after weeks of speculation about Kate’s health, she said the diagnosis came as a “huge shock” to both her and William, and she was currently in the early stages of treatment.
“It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment,” she said.
“But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte, and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be okay.”
Since revealing the diagnosis, William and Kate are said to be “enormously touched” and “extremely moved” by the public’s warmth and support.
The King, who has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls, made his most significant public appearance at the service on March 31 since his own cancer diagnosis was announced at the start of February.
The palace described the monarch as being “so proud” of the Princess of Wales for her courage in speaking out, and she is said to be in “the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law.”.
As a long-term football fan, William has previously taken George to matches, including a Villa game in 2019, and to watch England reach the quarterfinals of the Euro 2020 after defeating Germany 2-0.
Earlier this week, William posted a message on the Prince and Princess of Wales social media accounts congratulating the Lionesses’ Rachel Daly on her retirement.
England footballer Rachel Daly has announced her retirement from the international game.
Daly helped the Lionesses make history when she played at left-back during their European Championship-winning campaign in 2022, where she started every game in the tournament.
It was the first time a senior England international football team had lifted a major trophy since 1966, and the first to be won by the women’s team.
The versatile player was later used as a forward by England boss Sarina Wiegman during last year’s World Cup, where again she started every game, including the defeat in the final against Spain.
The 32-year-old Aston Villa forward won 84 caps for England, scoring 16 goals.
Life-long Villa fan Prince William joked there will now be “plenty more goals” for her club as he paid tribute to Daly on X, signing off his post with his initial, which suggests he wrote the message personally.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales hailed Daly on social media for her “unforgettable performances” with England.
The post on X said: “Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with the Lionesses. Plenty more goals for Villa now! W.”
Daly’s England team-mates paid tribute to her on social media, with Beth Mead writing, “So proud of you. There are no words to describe how gutted I am, but what an international career it’s been.
“I am so happy to have been a part of it. I love you, Rachy.”
Defender Millie Bright posted: “I don’t have many words right now. I’ve shed a lot of tears, knowing this was coming.
“I am the proudest best friend of everything you’ve achieved in your international career. You’ve given your heart and soul to your country over and over again. I love you.”