Prince William and George spotted at Aston Villa match in first public outing since Kate's cancer announcement
The future kings celebrated the club's 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final.
Friday 12 April 2024 06:56, UK
The Prince of Wales and his eldest son Prince George attended an Aston Villa football game together in what is their first public outing since the Princess of Wales' cancer announcement.
Prince William was seen smiling and applauding in the stands of Villa Park in Birmingham while 10-year-old George sported a Villa-branded scarf.
The pair celebrated the club's 2-1 victory against Lille in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final.
A one point William was seen turning to his son to say something as he applauded Ollie Watkins' opening goal for the club.
It is the first time the family have been seen publicly since 22 March when the Princess of Wales revealed she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after doctors found cancer during planned abdominal surgery.
William, Kate and their three children missed the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, following the announcement, despite attending last year.
In a video released after weeks of speculation about Kate's health, she said the diagnosis came as a "huge shock" to both her and William and she was currently in the early stages of treatment.
"It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment," she said.
"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 okay."
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Since revealing the diagnosis, William and Kate are said to be "enormously touched" and "extremely moved" by the public's warmth and support.
The King, who has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls, made his most significant public appearance at the service on 31 March since his own cancer diagnosis was announced at the start of February.
The palace described the monarch as being "so proud" of the Princess of Wales for her courage in speaking out and is said to be in "the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law".
As a long-term football fan William has previously taken George to matches, including a Villa game in 2019 and to watch England reach the quarter-finals of the Euros 2020, after defeating Germany 2-0.
Earlier this week, William posted a message on the Prince and Princess of Wales social media accounts congratulating the Lionesses' Rachel Daly on her retirement.