Prince William at Villa Park: Executive Box Over the Stands?
Let's be real, you wouldn't expect the future King of England to be caught chanting "Up the Villa!" amongst the raucous throngs at Villa Park, right? Well, that's exactly what didn't happen when Prince William popped over to watch Aston Villa take on Leicester City back in 2019.
Now, the Prince is a huge football fan, and he's even the president of the Football Association. But, when he's at a game, he's more likely to be found in the luxurious comfort of an executive box, sipping on a glass of something fancy, rather than rubbing shoulders with the average Villa fan in the stands.
Why the VIP Treatment?
It's not that Prince William is snobby or anything, but his security detail is pretty strict. It's simply not practical for him to be mingling in the general public, especially in a packed football stadium. Plus, he's probably got some pretty important people to schmooze with in the executive box.
A Royal Touch for Villa Park
Despite not being a part of the "Holte End" atmosphere, Prince William's visit was a big deal for Aston Villa. It showed the club's growing stature and prestige. You can bet those executive boxes were booked solid for that game.
So, what can we learn from all of this?
Well, even royalty can't escape the allure of football. But when it comes to attending a game, even the future King needs to play by a different set of rules. It's not about rubbing shoulders with the masses, it's about the royal experience - fancy food, posh company, and maybe a win for the Villans, if you're lucky.