Charles will be proclaimed King on Saturday after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, making a fan of the football team, Burnley, the United Kingdom and Commonwealth’s head of state.
Elizabeth II passed on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96, following more than 70 years of selfless devotion to serving her kingdom. Her death marked the start of 10 days of national mourning, during which Charles will be formally proclaimed King on the second day after.
Charles has been heir apparent to the throne ever since 1952, which made him the oldest and most longstanding heir. He will now take the title King Charles III, after acceding to the position automatically at 73 years old on September 8, 2022 upon the death of his mother.
King Charles III declared support for Burnley with 2012 royal seal of approval
Yet even though Charles was born in Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948, he is not a fan of any London-based football teams. Instead, His Royal Highness has publicly come out in support of the Lancashire outfit, Burnley, and has a VIP season ticket at Turf Moor.
Then Prince of Wales, Charles gave the Clarets his royal seal of approval in 2012 during a reception and dinner at Windsor Castle, as cited by the Lancashire Telegraph at the time.
Charles was quizzed over which football team the would-be King supports whilst carrying out charity work in the area. To their surprise, he responded by declaring his support for Burnley – to which the Clarets replied by sending HRH a complimentary VIP season ticket.
He said: “A consortium of my charities, including the British Asian Trust, has been working in Burnley. Hence, some of you asked this evening whether I support a British football club and I said; ‘yes – Burnley’.
“And people have responded, ‘Burnley?’. Oh yes, because Burnley has been through some very challenging times, and I’m trying to find ways of helping to regenerate and raise aspirations and self-esteem in that part of the world.”
What football team did Queen Elizabeth II support?
Unlike Charles, Queen Elizabeth II supported a London-based football team, but the exact identity of said club was never confirmed. It was widely-believed that Her Royal Highness followed Arsenal, but the Mirror reported in 2009 that she supported West Ham United.
It was claimed that she shared her affection for the Hammers with staff after overhearing discussions about the Irons’ rivalry with Millwall. Although former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, claimed in 2016 that Her Majesty favoured north London natives, the Gunners.
Speaking on the Queen turning 90, Corbyn recalled how she had invited the Arsenal squad to Buckingham Palace after she was unable to attend the opening of the Emirates Stadium.
“Now we know the Queen is absolutely above politics,” Corbyn noted, via quotes by ESPN. “She may be above football, too, but many locals harbour this quite secret view that she’s actually privately a Gooner.”
Who does Prince William, president of the Football Association, support?
Affection for football continues to run in the Royal Family, with Prince William never one to hide his devotion for Aston Villa. The Duke of Cambridge regularly attends the Villans’ games with his eldest son, George, to maintain the beautiful game’s place at the Palace.
Prince William also became president of the Football Association in 2006, and is often seen at England games and the FA Cup final. He has also encouraged Princess Charlotte to take up an interest in the sport, and supports the Lionesses with great pride in their successes.
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