Prince George Could Face an Unexpected Challenge at Eton After Following Prince William’s Decision He Once Called a Bad Idea

Prince George is following in his father Prince William’s footsteps in more ways than one, from attending the same prestigious school to sharing his passion for football. But one particular family tradition could make the 13-year-old stand out among his classmates at Eton College.

The young royal has inherited William’s loyalty to Aston Villa, a football club the Prince of Wales has supported since his own schooldays.

While their shared enthusiasm has created memorable father-and-son moments, a new report suggests George’s choice of team could make him something of an outsider among his peers.

The situation is particularly amusing given that William once admitted his own decision to support Aston Villa might not have been the wisest.

Prince George Follows Prince William’s Footsteps at Eton

Prince George began attending Eton College on September 8, 2026, continuing an important family connection with the prestigious school.

The young royal was accompanied by Prince William and Princess Kate as he arrived for his first day.

Like his father, George is now navigating school life while carrying the responsibilities and public attention that come with being a future king.

However, according to Hello! magazine, his choice of football team could make fitting in with classmates slightly more complicated.

The publication suggested that although George will naturally want to find common ground with his peers, his enthusiasm for Aston Villa could set him apart.

Many Eton pupils come from London and the surrounding Home Counties, where clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are popular.

Aston Villa, by contrast, is based in Birmingham.

As a result, George could find himself supporting a different team from many of his school friends.

Prince William and George Share a Passion for Aston Villa

George’s loyalty to Aston Villa is closely connected to his father, who has supported the club for decades.

Their shared interest was on display last week when William took George to Barcelona to watch Aston Villa play.

The trip provided another opportunity for the Prince of Wales and his eldest son to enjoy football together.

For William, supporting Aston Villa has long been more than a passing interest.

He has spoken openly about the reasons behind his choice, explaining that he deliberately avoided following the same clubs as many of his school friends.

That decision has now become part of the relationship he shares with George.

However, the Prince of Wales has also acknowledged that choosing Aston Villa brought its share of frustration.

Why Prince William Chose Aston Villa Instead of Manchester United or Chelsea

During a 2015 interview with the BBC, William revealed how his interest in Aston Villa began.

“A long time ago at school I got into football big time,” he explained.

At the time, many of his friends supported Manchester United or Chelsea, but William wanted something different.

“All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn’t want to follow the run of the mill teams,” he recalled.

Rather than choosing one of the country’s most widely supported clubs, William decided to follow a team whose fortunes might be less predictable.

“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments,” he explained.

His decision gave him precisely the kind of football experience he had been seeking, although he later admitted that the emotional ups and downs were not always enjoyable.

William Admitted His Football Decision Was a Bad Idea

Looking back on his years as an Aston Villa supporter, William acknowledged that choosing a club with unpredictable results had sometimes made football more stressful.

“To be honest, now looking back, that was a bad idea,” he told the BBC.

“I could have had an easier time!”

The admission offers an amusing parallel with George’s current situation.

Like William during his school years, George may find himself supporting a club that is less popular among his classmates.

However, the suggestion that his football allegiance could make him an outsider remains speculation rather than evidence of any actual difficulties at Eton.

There is no indication that George has experienced problems with classmates because of his support for Aston Villa.

A Father-and-Son Tradition That Could Continue for Years

Despite the possibility of some friendly football rivalry at school, George’s connection to Aston Villa reflects a shared interest with his father.

Their recent trip to Barcelona highlighted how football continues to provide opportunities for William and George to spend time together.

The Prince of Wales’s decision to support Aston Villa began as a way of choosing his own path rather than following his friends.

Now, decades later, his eldest son has embraced the same club.

Whether George experiences the same emotional rollercoaster that William described remains to be seen.

But one thing is already clear: the football allegiance that William once jokingly called a bad idea has become a lasting family tradition, connecting father and son both on and off the pitch.