But they mounted a spirited comeback at Villa Park, winning 3-2 on the night, just one goal short of overturning the tie. PSG ultimately progressed 5-4 on aggregate.
“I’ve got my son here as well, so I’m on best behaviour,” William said on TNT Sports before the French leg.
“But I thought: You know what, it’s been 43 years since anything like this has happened in my generation as a Villa fan, and I want George to experience a night out away from home in a big European competition.
“I hope it’s not 43 years until the next one happens, but I think those memories are really important to create and bringing him along tonight is a big deal for me.”
George, 11, wore a Villa scarf and appears to have followed his father’s footsteps in supporting the Birmingham team.
William did not emulate his father, the seemingly neutral King Charles, and forged his own path by supporting Villa.
The late Queen Elizabeth II is believed to have supported Arsenal, having met the Gunners at Buckingham Palace in 2007 after she could not open the Emirates Stadium. A back injury prevented her from carrying out her royal duty.
At a similar age to George, Prince Harry travelled to Lens with his father, the then Prince Charles, to watch England beat Colombia in the 1998 World Cup.
However, William has emerged as a prominent football fan in recent years. He has served as the patron of the Football Association since 2024 and its president since 2006.
When asked about his support for Aston Villa, the prince explained: “A long time ago, I got really into football at school. All my friends were Chelsea or Manchester United fans, and I didn’t want to follow the mainstream team.
“I wanted a club that was more mid-table and could provide more emotional rollercoaster moments. Aston Villa has always had a great history.”
Here are some of the best photos of William in the stands over the years.
Not quite the royal comeback
William cannot believe Villa came so close and yet so far to taking PSG to extra time in the Champions League
Nick Potts/PA Wire
William can’t bear to look during a Champions League group game at Villa Park in autumn 2024
PA
William (right) celebrates England’s equaliser from Cole Palmer in the Euro 2024 final against Spain in July 2024
PA
Yes! Oh, wait … Poor decision
Aston Villa score in May 2024 …
PA
… only for the goal to be ruled out
PA
William can’t believe what he sees during Villa’s third-round Carabao Cup match with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September 2021. Chelsea beat Villa 4-3 on penalties
PA
We assume William and his wife Kate are joining in with the national anthem and not a chant mocking the opposition goalie during Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium in June 2021
PA
Remember masks in football stadiums? William donned one for the early rounds of Euro 2020 (played in 2021)
PA
William has a row to himself at Spartans FC’s Ainslie Park Stadium in Edinburgh (he was there in 2021 to hear about a mental health programme)
PA
William is perhaps at his most animated while playing (and winning?) at table football
PA
William celebrates with Villa legend John Carew after their side score the first goal in their 2-1 Championship play-off final victory over Derby County at Wembley Stadium in May 2019. The pair have sat together several times
PA
Pure joy/or grief (we can’t tell)
It is hard to say what William is feeling here in 2013
PA
‘You’ve got to hold and give and do it at the right time …’
William leaves this pre-match England pep talk to his wife
PA
