Prince William, now enjoying more free time following Kate Middleton’s recovery, shared his excitement about attending an upcoming Champions League match.

Prince William, Prince of Wales visits Parc y Scarlets, home of the Scarlets Rugby Union team, to meet members of the current Wales female international team

Prince William is sending a message straight to his favorite soccer team, Aston Villa!

On Sept. 17, the Prince of Wales, 42, penned a personal message on X to wish the Premier League team well at their UEFA Champions League match against the Young Boys squad from Switzerland, set to take place the same day. Prince William is president of the Football Association, an avid soccer fan and is known to root for Aston Villa.

“The last time @AVFCOfficial won in the top European competition, it was the month before I was born. Let’s hope tonight is the first step towards another European adventure!” William began the message.

“My thoughts this evening are also with Villa legend Gary Shaw’s friends and family following his passing yesterday,” he continued, referencing the death of the former Aston Villa player. The soccer club announced Shaw’s death on Sept. 16, and remembered the striker in a tribute as “one of our European Cup-winning heroes,” which is the match that William referenced.

The Prince of Wales closed the post with the hashtag “#UTV,” sending support with an abbreviation for “Up the Villa,” or British parlance for “go team.”

He signed the message with “W,” using his first initial as shorthand, as he and wife Kate Middleton do to denote when a social media post comes directly from them.

Like many passionate soccer fans, Prince William is known to post messages on X to comment on big news relating to the game. He seems to have passed down an interest in soccer — particularly the Villa fandom! — to his eldest son, Prince George, 11.

The father and son attended one of the team’s games at home stadium Villa Park in Birmingham, England in April, where George festively wore a scarf in the club’s colors. After the match, where Villa beat French team Lille 2-1, William confirmed his son was following in his footsteps as a fan.

When asked if George was now “part of the pride,” a phrase Villa supporters use to describe their team’s followers, William replied, “Oh yes, he’s loving it,” according to sports journalist Neil Moxley, who recapped the chat on X.

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Earlier this year, a source told PEOPLE that following Aston Villa gave Prince William a lift as both his wife Princess Kate and father King Charles were undergoing treatment for cancer. (The Princess of Wales issued a video message on Sept. 9 to share that she completed chemotherapy, while Buckingham Palace said in late April that the King’s treatment was ongoing.)

“He has been hugely buoyed by the results of Aston Villa,” the source said. “You shouldn’t overlook the importance of soccer in these moments.”

Prince William continues to show his unwavering support for his favorite soccer team, Aston Villa, as he recently took to X to send them a heartfelt message ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League match. The Prince of Wales, who serves as president of the Football Association, expressed his excitement for the team’s upcoming game against the Young Boys squad from Switzerland.In his message, Prince William reminisced about Aston Villa’s past successes in the top European competition, noting that the last time they emerged victorious was just before he was born. With hopeful anticipation, he wished the team the best of luck for a successful European campaign, hoping that the match against the Young Boys would mark the beginning of another memorable journey for the club.In addition to showing his support for Aston Villa on the field, Prince William also took a moment to pay tribute to the late Gary Shaw, a legendary former player for the club who recently passed away. Shaw, remembered as one of Aston Villa’s European Cup-winning heroes, was fondly honored by the Prince of Wales in his message, reflecting on the player’s significant contributions to the team’s success.Wrapping up his message with the hashtag “UTV” (Up the Villa), Prince William once again displayed his unwavering loyalty to the team, encouraging them to put their best foot forward in the upcoming match. Signed off with his distinctive initial “W,” the message served as a personal gesture from the Prince, underscoring his genuine passion for the sport and his beloved team.As Prince William’s enthusiasm for soccer continues to shine through, it’s evident that his dedication to Aston Villa runs deep. From sharing special moments with his son Prince George at Villa Park to finding solace in the team’s successes during challenging times, the Prince’s bond with the club remains a source of joy and inspiration for both himself and fellow supporters.In the world of soccer and beyond, Prince William’s ongoing support for Aston Villa serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports and the enduring spirit of fan loyalty. As he cheers on his favorite team from afar, fans can’t help but be inspired by his genuine passion and unwavering commitment to the Villa cause. Here’s to more memorable moments on the field and continued success for Aston Villa, guided by the unwavering support of their devoted president, Prince William.

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Source: The Wall Street Journal