Incredible video captured the moment Villa fans drank with Prince William like he was one of their own after he popped into a Birmingham Wetherspoons. There were handshakes and pictures between the fans and the heir to the throne when he joined them in the London and North Western at New Street station today, Wednesday, January 15.
William was in the city to address a paramedics’ conference and linked up with Villa supporters waiting to catch a train to Liverpool for tonight’s Premier League match at Everton. He supped on a Bulmers cider and spent around 30 minutes at their table.
The future king asked Villa to arrange a gathering with some die-hard supporters and the group of eight then caught up in the pub. Footage showed William relaxed, chatting freely and happily shaking hands and posing for pictures.
READ MORE: Prince William enjoys pre-match pint with Aston Villa fans in New Street station Wetherspoons
Daniel Jones, 18, a sixth form college student from Burntwood, Staffordshire, said after meeting the Prince: “He was a lovely guy, proper down to earth and he loves Villa and the passion we all share.
“I think if he didn’t have other commitments he would have loved to have been at the match.”
John McEvoy, 64, from Solihull, who runs a catering equipment business, said: “William said a family friend took him to his first game – Villa against Bolton – and he’s loved the team ever since.
The Prince of Wales meeting Aston Villa supporters in a Wetherspoons pub in the centre of Birmingham.
(Image: PA)
“He said he would be watching the match on TV tonight. He was just a really nice, genuine bloke who really loves Villa. He contacted the club and they contacted some of us to arrange this, we knew he was coming, but it’s the first time we’ve met him.
“William thought it would be a tough game tonight as (Everton) have their old manager David Moyes back and teams get a bounce when they have a change of manager.”
William had attended the College of Paramedics inaugural emergency and critical care conference in Birmingham. He had been named the college’s patron and in a speech paid tribute to the nation’s paramedics working in “highly stressful and often distressing circumstances”.