Prince William Congratulated Aston Villa on Win Amid Queen’s Death

As Prince WilliamWhile he continues to mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, he still found time to support his favorite soccer team, Aston Villa, following their recent victory.

“He messaged in the week, to the club, and that shows everything about what he thinks of this club,” team manager Steven GerrardAccording to the BBC, Friday, September 16th, after their win, they spoke out to the BBC. “It certainly took me aback. He is very involved with Villa. For him to message in the situation he is in is really impressive.”

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Gerrard added: “For us to reward that [Prince William’s message] with a result and clean sheet, I’m sure he will be proud. It was along the lines of ‘[I] would love to be there.’ … He is consistently in touch. He is very supportive of the boys individually. It’s really impressive, his knowledge and how much he is into it.”

After a neck-and-neck game between Aston Villa and Southampton F.C., Villa’s Jacob RamseyHis team won a victory thanks to a last-minute goal.

The Prince of Wales (40) was unable to attend the game due to his grief over the loss of his grandmother. He was able to view the game from home. While meeting mourners outside Westminster Hall on Saturday, September 17, William gushed over the athletes’ win, calling them “beasts” throughout the match.

The Villa Park stadium witnessed a minute-long silence in memory of the queen before the game. Friday’s match was the team’s first one after a brief pause in honor of her passing.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the long-reigning queen had “died peacefully” at her Balmoral Castle residence in Scotland on September 8. She was 96.

“On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute,” the newly minted Duke of Cornwall wrote via Instagram statement on September 10. “So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.”

William continued: “I, however, have lost a grandmother. While I will miss her, I am also deeply grateful. I have had the benefit of the queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.”

William and his wife Princess KateThe death of the late regent has been felt by other royal family members. The Duke of Cambridge, for his part, even joined the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall behind the queen’s casket earlier this week. The queen was laid in state on Wednesday, September 14th, for the public to respect her. The royal family will say their last goodbyes to Her Majesty at her state funeral, Monday September 19, at Westminster Abbey.