NewsBite

Prince William and Prince George bond at soccer game amid Kate Middleton’s cancer battle

Prince William and Prince George enjoy a father-son night out at the soccer, the young prince’s first public outing since his mum’s cancer announcement.

Prince William and Prince George watch soccer match in Birmingham.
Prince William and Prince George watch soccer match in Birmingham.

It’s a father-son night out.

Prince William and Prince George were spotted attending Aston Villa’s UEFA Europa Conference League match against Lille OSC at Birmingham’s Villa Park Thursday night as Kate Middleton undergoes chemotherapy for cancer, reports Page Six.

The pair seemed upbeat as they chatted while TNT Sport’s live coverage panned to them in the stands. They were also filmed enthusiastically clapping after Aston’s Ollie Watkins scored the night’s first goal.

Prince William and Prince George watch the quarter-final first leg match between Aston Villa and Lille OSC at Villa Park on April 11 in Birmingham. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Prince William and Prince George watch the quarter-final first leg match between Aston Villa and Lille OSC at Villa Park on April 11 in Birmingham. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

William, 41, and George, 10, dressed formally for the night, seemingly wearing button-down shirts under sweaters. George also sported an Aston Villa scarf.

The Prince of Wales is a longtime soccer fan and even serves as the president of the English Football Association. He previously explained why he’s a loyal supporter of Aston, despite there being more popular football clubs.

Father and son were thrilled when Aston’s Ollie Watkins scored the night’s first goal. Picture: TNT SPORTS 3/X
Father and son were thrilled when Aston’s Ollie Watkins scored the night’s first goal. Picture: TNT SPORTS 3/X

“A long time ago at school, I got into football big time. All my friends were Chelsea or Manchester United fans, and I didn’t really want to follow the run-of-the-mill team,” he said, according to the Sun.

“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments. Aston Villa has always had a great history.”

It was the first time George was seen in public since his mother shared her cancer news. Picture: TNT SPORTS 3/X
It was the first time George was seen in public since his mother shared her cancer news. Picture: TNT SPORTS 3/X

William and George’s attendance at Thursday evening’s game — which ended in a win for Aston Villa — came less than three weeks after Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis.

During her announcement video, she revealed she was in the “early stages” of “preventive chemotherapy” after undergoing abdominal surgery in January.

The Princess of Wales revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer in this video shared last month.
The Princess of Wales revealed she is undergoing treatment for cancer in this video shared last month.
Kate’s health update came days after she was caught up in a photoshop scandal involving this photo. Picture: Kensington Palace/Instagram
Kate’s health update came days after she was caught up in a photoshop scandal involving this photo. Picture: Kensington Palace/Instagram

Middleton, 42, also noted that she was most concerned about navigating the new journey in life with her kids.

“It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them and to reassure them that I am going to be OK,” she explained.

Kate took her kids to launch her Christmas Baby Bank in Maidenhead, UK, back on December 12. Picture: Kensington Palace/YouTube
Kate took her kids to launch her Christmas Baby Bank in Maidenhead, UK, back on December 12. Picture: Kensington Palace/YouTube
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were hands-on at the launch. Picture: Kensington Palace/YouTube
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were hands-on at the launch. Picture: Kensington Palace/YouTube

“As I have said to them, I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal, in my mind, body and spirits.”

George is the eldest child of William and Kate. Their daughter, Charlotte, is 8, while their youngest son, Prince Louis, is 5.

The Princess of Wales’ announcement came just weeks after her father-in-law, King Charles, revealed his cancer diagnosis.

Both have taken a step back from their public duties as they focus on their health.

Kensington Palace, however, confirmed Middleton has been working behind the scenes on her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us campaign from home in Windsor.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/prince-william-and-prince-george-bond-at-soccer-game-amid-kate-middletons-cancer-battle/news-story/0ef724e0553d8cdaa64284a8ee81accd