Quote · New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Prince William on England's World Cup, Travis at Wembley, NFL in the UK & America's 250th | Bonus EP
Where this was said
Origin Story: How Prince William Became an Aston Villa Fan
At 15:45 · chapter starts 14:30
Mirroring the story of how Ed Kelce integrated his sons into Cleveland Browns fandom, Travis asks whether King Charles got William into Aston Villa. The answer is blunt and immediately quotable: 'Absolutely not. My father hates football.' [1] — Prince William "King Charles hates football. So how did Prince William become one of Aston Villa's most famous supporters? School friends dragged him to hi…" 15:40 William explains that his family has no particular tradition of football support — his love of the game came entirely from school friends who took him to his first match. What makes the story richer is the detail he adds: he ran into Gareth Southgate just that week, and Southgate reminded him that he had been playing as a defender for Aston Villa in the very game William watched — a Villa vs Bolton match in the year 2000. The future England manager and the future King of England, both present at the same ground, with neither knowing what lay ahead.
Sport is more than entertainment — it's mental health infrastructure. Prince William opens up about what life feels like when competitive sport is no longer accessible, and what that hole means for wellbeing and identity.
King Charles hates football. So how did Prince William become one of Aston Villa's most famous supporters? School friends dragged him to his first match in 2000 — Aston Villa vs Bolton, with a young Gareth Southgate on the pitch — and the rest is history.
Prince William's father (King Charles) has no interest in football, meaning William's passion for the sport came entirely from friends, not family.
Prince William's first Aston Villa match was in the year 2000, featuring a young Gareth Southgate — who later became England manager — playing as a defender.
When asked whether scoring a touchdown or dancing for Taylor Swift was Travis's most iconic Wembley moment, Prince William didn't hesitate: backup dancer wins. Travis agreed, reminiscing about meeting the royal family that day.
The episode was recorded in the context of the US celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026, coinciding with hosting the FIFA World Cup.
