Prince William was seen enjoying a pint today, Monday, January 15, as he chatted with local Wetherspoons patrons alongside Aston Villa supporters after a visit to celebrate paramedic heroes in Birmingham.
The Duke of Cornwall visited first-responders in his new role as Patron of the College of Paramedics. During the conference, he spoke with numerous paramedic staff from across the country, discussing topics such as training, drone usage, and hospital waiting times.
After thanking the medics for their “best wishes” on the news that the Princess of Wales is now in remission from cancer, the 42-year- old joked that he would visit the popular pub chain for any fellow Aston Villa fans, reports the Mirror.
To the surprise of many, Prince William indeed made an appearance at The London and North Western pub in Birmingham New Street station, where he joined a table of punters. William then bought a round of beers for a group of eight Villa fans who had gathered at the pub before heading off to Liverpool for tonight’s Premier League match against Everton.
Having ordered a pint of Bulmers cider himself, Prince William was said to spend approximately half an hour mixing with fans before catching a train back to London. Mike Tindall famously once joked that he called William ‘One Pint Willy’.
Steve Jones, 56, a dedicated Villa supporter for the past 35 years, said: “We were contacted by the club saying Prince William wanted to meet a delegation of Villa fans as he was in Birmingham as he wanted to keep in the loop with everything going on at Villa. He was fantastic.
“I was quite amazed about how engaged he was with the club his interest. He’s not a fair weather fan. He really loves the club with a passion. We spoke about the club, the transfers, the pending Champions League trip to Monaco, and all things Aston Villa. He asked many questions he’s got a good level of interest.
“It was 95 per cent chat about Villa as that’s out shared interest but a bit about his family. Young George is a Villa fan but he didn’t want all three to be Villa fans. He was massively interested and seemed a really genuine guy and all he wanted to do is talk about Villa. He said he was hopeful about beating Everton tonight and would be watching but was wary about new manager syndrome, or rather old manager syndrome.”
Earlier in the day at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, William, who previously worked as an air ambulance pilot in Anglesey, conversed with paramedics about the demands of their job and how they are utilising new technology. Upon his arrival at the BCEC and while greeting his hosts, he mentioned, “I’ll be watching the game and keeping an eye on what’s going on.”
After meeting 999 heroes, Prince William joined a room packed full of paramedics for a series of presentations and talks. He recognized a former colleague who worked alongside him as a search and rescue paramedic at RAF Valley in Anglesey, where William was a pilot.
Slapping Ed Griffiths on the back, the Prince quipped, “Last time I saw you was on a beach.” Ed responded, “Yes in Newquay.”
During his talk, former colleague Ed spoke about Air Ambulance pilots saying it was an important job and made a quick joke at William’s expense. After asking “Do we have any pilots here?” He looked at William and said: “It’s not as difficult as some people make out.” But then added the prince was a “very safe pair of hands.”
Prince William during his first engagement of 2025
(Image: PA)
Prince William, taking to the stage after being introduced in his new role, said:”It’s great to be back in Birmingham, and for any fellow Villa fans with us today – I look forward to celebrating our win over Everton later! I am so pleased to be standing here as the College of Paramedics’ new Patron and to have the opportunity to join your first ever Emergency and Critical Care conference.”
“Thank you to everyone who has made this event possible. Often referred to as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of frontline healthcare, paramedics and those in the emergency services are adaptable, multiskilled and crucially, know how to work under pressure. “This pressure is something I was all too familiar with during my time as a pilot for RAF Search and Rescue and for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
“My time in these roles allowed me to better understand the day-to-day challenges that you all face and gave me the lifelong motivation to do all I can to support your community. It is not just another job.
“Every day provides unpredictable challenges. Every shout is a journey into the unknown. Every split second decision has an immeasurable impact on so many people.
Afterwards, Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive Officer at the College of Paramedics, said to William: “I want to say how delighted we are to hear about the Royal Highness and send her our best wishes.” The prince nodded his head politely in acknowledgement.
It comes after his wife Kate yesterday revealed that her cancer was in remission. Speaking to a new recruit who had spent less than a year as a paramedic, William said: “It’s an exciting journey you are on.” Claire Fitchett, Specialist Paramedic at Hampshire and Isle of Wight, told the prince “being a paramedic can be a lonely place to work” and said it was good that so many paramedics were together at the conference. She also told William that paramedics were harnessing new technology.
She told him they are investigating using drones to fly automated external defibrillators (AEDs) from the mainland to Isle of Wight by drones. Wills added: “We still need people on the ground so still be in a job for a while.” The College of Paramedics was established in 2001 and is a membership organisation open to all UK paramedics registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and student paramedics.
It has more than 20,000 members improving professional standards, learning and development, and taking care of paramedics’ mental health and wellbeing. In February last year, the College was granted the Royal Charter of Incorporation by the King.