Prince William Belts Out Neil Diamond’s 'Sweet Caroline' as He Cheers on His Favorite Team — Watch
When it comes to the British royalty and football crossover, we always get to see a new version of the otherwise zen Prince William takeover.
When it comes to the British royalty and football crossover, we always get to see a new version of the otherwise zen Prince William take over. Pumped with excitement, the future King is often seen cheering for the Villans superfan, and this time, during the Europa League finale, William shed his traditional royal exterior, transforming into an ordinary, deeply invested supporter riding the emotional rollercoaster of elite football. He not only looked delighted as the club scored four without conceding at Villa Park but was also seen singing along with the crowd.
Very few figures display their passion quite as overtly as William. While royal protocol often demands a certain level of composed neutrality, the Prince of Wales has never been one to hide his deep-rooted devotion to his beloved Aston Villa. As the Birmingham-based club embarked on a historic European campaign, Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline turned into the winning anthem of the night. Watch the video here!
The pinnacle of this historic run took place in Istanbul, Turkey. On May 20, 2026, William flew out to the Ataturk Olympic Stadium to watch Villa take on German side SC Freiburg in the Europa League final. Having not won a major European trophy since 1982, the very year William was born, the stakes were monumental. Following a dominant 3-0 victory, the historic curse was finally broken, and soon the celebrations reached a fever pitch. In the stands, William was seen visibly red-eyed and deeply emotional, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the club's achievement, and for the second time in weeks, "Sweet Caroline" echoed through the stadium, and once again, the Prince joined in.
Previously, he was seen singing the song during Aston Villa’s dramatic Europa League semifinal on May 7, 2026. This time around, he was spotted with his arms wrapped around the shoulders of fellow fans, singing the anthem in total unison before heading down to the dressing room to congratulate the players and celebrate the historic triumph. Through it all, William proved that when it comes to football, he is a fan first and a prince second.
William’s love for Aston Villa is a lifelong affair, famously choosing to support the club during his school days because he wanted a team that offered a real emotional journey rather than guaranteed silverware. Decades later, that passion burns brighter than ever. As per People, he has actively passed this fandom down to his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, and he even frequently brings his eldest, George, to games and makes special arrangements, like letting the royal siblings stay up past their bedtimes.
William ensures the next generation experiences the same magic of European football nights he loves, and for him, sharing these memories isn't just about the sport; it is about the camaraderie and the shared human experience.
