William goes wild! Delirious prince hugs former Aston Villa star as they watch their team triumph in Championship play-off final at Wembley - to win a prized place in the Premier League

  • Duke of Cambridge looked elated as Aston Villa secured promotion on Monday
  • Game dubbed the richest game in football as promotion brings injection of cash
  • Prince William has supported Aston Villa since he was in school
  • Villa went 1-0 up against Derby minutes before half time at Wembley
  • The Duke leapt into the air and embraced former player John Carew

Prince William went wild as he watched his beloved Aston Villa get promoted to the Premier League after defeating Derby County in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. 

The Duke of Cambridge, who has been a fan since his school days, jumped to his feet and hugged ex-Villa striker John Carew as the final whistle blew.  

Anwar El Ghazi put the Claret and Blues ahead before John McGinn doubled Villa's advantage in the second half.  

Prince William cheered on his beloved Aston Villa at Wembley as they took on Derby County

Prince William cheered on his beloved Aston Villa at Wembley as they took on Derby County

William couldn't hold back as Aston Villa soared to victory in the Championship play-off final

William couldn't hold back as Aston Villa soared to victory in the Championship play-off final

The Duke of Cambridge jumped into the air and celebrated the goal with John Carew

The Duke of Cambridge jumped into the air and celebrated the goal with John Carew

William clapped and celebrated in a box at the game as he watched Aston Villa get promoted

William clapped and celebrated in a box at the game as he watched Aston Villa get promoted

The Prince couldn't hide his elation as he grabbed ex-player John Carew for a celebratory cuddle
The pair were delighted to see their team go one up

The Prince couldn't hide his elation as he grabbed ex-player Carew for a celebratory cuddle

Father-of-three William, 36, dressed down for the occasion in a navy blue jumper

Father-of-three William, 36, dressed down for the occasion in a navy blue jumper

The Duke of Cambridge (left) and former footballer John Carew (far right) chatted in the stands

The Duke of Cambridge (left) and former footballer John Carew (far right) chatted in the stands

Villa were made to sweat when Martyn Waghorn pulled one back for Derby with nine minutes to go and piled on the pressure.  

But they managed to hold on to their 2-1 victory in a game which was worth £170million to the winner - much to the delight of William.  

The 36-year-old donned a baseball cap emblazoned with the team's crest, but this came flying off when they went close to scoring during the match.

He joined Carew in a box in the stands of the north London stadium as he animatedly cheered on his team.

William has previously spoken about his passionate support of the Midlands club and has attended several Villa matches in the past.

In the build up to the first goal it was tense in the stands, but Anwar El Ghazi converted

In the build up to the first goal it was tense in the stands, but Anwar El Ghazi converted

Prince William even donned a baseball cap emblazoned with the team's crest, but this came flying off when they went close to scoring a goal
He looked tense as the first half went without a goal until the final minutes

Prince William even donned a baseball cap emblazoned with the team's crest

When picking Aston Villa as his team, William said he wanted one that was more mid-table that could give him more emotional rollercoaster moments - just like this one

When picking Aston Villa as his team, William said he wanted one that was more mid-table that could give him more emotional rollercoaster moments - just like this one

There was elation minutes before half time when Anwar El Ghazi put Villa ahead

There was elation minutes before half time when Anwar El Ghazi put Villa ahead

It was all smiles in the box as William and his companions clapped off Villa at half time

It was all smiles in the box as William and his companions clapped off Villa at half time

William has previously spoken about his passionate support of the Midlands club

William has previously spoken about his passionate support of the Midlands club

Ahead of Villa's FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in May 2015, he told BBC presenter Gary Linker: 'A long time ago at school I got into football big time. 

'I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Manchester United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn't want to follow the run of the mill teams.

'I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments. 

'Aston Villa's always had a great history. I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000.

William said he was 'incredibly excited' but said it would be a 'nervy affair' before the game

William said he was 'incredibly excited' but said it would be a 'nervy affair' before the game

William said it was the atmosphere and camaraderie among the fans that got him hooked

William said it was the atmosphere and camaraderie among the fans that got him hooked

Villa have played Derby twice in the Championship this season and emerged victorious twice

Villa have played Derby twice in the Championship this season and emerged victorious twice

Prince William celebrates the second goal of the match scored by John McGinn of Aston Villa

Prince William celebrates the second goal of the match scored by John McGinn of Aston Villa

William was offered a customised Villa shirt to wear ¿ but he turned down the gesture

William was offered a customised Villa shirt to wear – but he turned down the gesture

The Duke of Cambridge (left) celebrates in the stands with former footballer John Carew (right)

The Duke of Cambridge (left) celebrates in the stands with former footballer John Carew (right)

Celebrations in order! William was over the moon with the celebration which saw him hug and cheer others
Wearing a navy ensemble William kept cool while showing his joy

William was over the moon with the celebration which saw him hug and cheer others

'Sadly, Villa went on to lose to Chelsea. It was fantastic, I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on, and I was sat with all the Brummie fans and had a great time.

'It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with.'

Ahead of the game, William was offered a customised Villa shirt to wear – but he turned down the gesture, sporting his cap instead.

Speaking about the crunch match last week, he told the BBC he was 'incredibly excited' but admitted it would be a 'nervy affair'. 

Villa were relegated in 2016 and this is their first promotion back to the top-flight since.

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Prince William goes wild at Wembley as he celebrates beloved Aston Villa's promotion

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