Prince William has shared the bizarre reason Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks supports the same football team as him.
The Prince of Wales has followed Birmingham-based club Aston Villa for over two decades.
During a new episode of Apple TV’s The Reluctant Traveler, which will be released on Friday, the royal chatted with Eugene Levy about how the famous actor came to support Aston Villa.
Mr Levy asked the Prince of Wales: “Are you a football fan yourself?
Prince William has shared the bizarre reason Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks supports the same football team as him.
|
PA
Prince William replied: “I’m a football fan, yes, Eugene. I support Aston Villa, you heard of them? Tom Hanks is a big fan.”
The royal continued: “You might have heard of Aston Villa from there. And I love the story that Tom tells about why he suddenly supported Aston Villa, because when he was looking for a team to support, he saw the words Aston Villa, and thought that sounded quite like a sunshine nice villa place to go.
“When actually, if he turns up to Birmingham, it’s not that sunshiney.”
The future king’s passion for Aston Villa was evident throughout last season as he attended many of the club’s Champions League games in person.
Tom Hanks supporting Aston Villa at Villa Park.
|
PA
William revealed earlier this year that he posts anonymously on Villa fan forums and maintains a paid membership to Aston Villa TV.
Prince George has clearly inherited his father’s allegiance to the Birmingham club, attending several matches alongside William last season.
The young prince owns an Aston Villa shirt, as do his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, though William disclosed he would prefer his children to independently choose which teams to support rather than automatically following Villa because of his connection.
William revealed earlier this year that he posts anonymously on Villa fan forums and maintains a paid membership to Aston Villa TV.
|
PA
It has not been confirmed whether Princess Charlotte or Prince Louis have decided on their own footballing allegiances.
William shared amusing insights into his family’s football-watching rituals during the interview with The Sun.
He admitted to moving his children around the room whilst watching Aston Villa on television, attempting to change the team’s fortunes when they’re losing.
The prince joked about his superstitious approach to supporting Villa from home, revealing how the entire family gets involved in these match-day routines.