William talks World Cup football fever on Travis Kelce’s podcast

Prince William has shared his thoughts on the emotional rollercoaster of being a football fan in a relaxed appearance on the podcast of Travis Kelce, the US footballer who is expected to soon marry the pop megastar Taylor Swift.

The theme wasn’t the wedding but the World Cup, of which the US is a co-host, and William jokingly corrected Travis that it was “football” and not “soccer”.

On the 28-minute show, William revealed that his father King Charles “hates football”. The King has previously described himself as a Burnley supporter, which may be a factor.

The Prince of Wales also told the podcast that he would travel to the World Cup in the US if England reached the final.

“They make it to the finals, you’re gonna make the trip across the pond?” Travis asked.

“Definitely. If we’re in the finals,” said Prince William.

“Oh, I love it, man,” said the podcast host.

“Well, maybe. Maybe. See you both there for the final,” said William to the US sports star and his co-host brother, Jason.

Prince William was a surprise guest on the New Heights podcast on YouTube, in another example of using non-traditional media and away from formal interviews.

Last year, he talked about his ambitions to modernise the monarchy in a conversation with comedian Eugene Levy on Apple TV.

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift hugging in a crowd — Sports star Travis Kelce and pop star Taylor Swift are getting married [Reuters]

William was also asked about another big US landmark: “America is turning 250 years this year. Be honest. Are you surprised we made it?”

“There were times… There were times…” teased William. “But I’d like to think the UK and the US would be together for those 250 years. Oh, yeah, it’s a good brotherhood.”

There was a chat about meeting before at a US football game at Wembley – with Jason remembering that he didn’t know what to do with the beer he was holding when he met the royals.

“Yeah, it wasn’t a joke. It was real. Well, you want to be respectful and know the protocols,” he said.

Jason also said meeting “Princess Charlotte was still the highlight for me. I had four daughters as well, so, I mean, she was great”.

“Now, congratulations. Having four daughters. I don’t know how you do that,” said William.

“That is definitely a difficult task. The hardest job,” said Kelce.

The episode seems to have been recorded a couple of weeks ago, as it references England having just played Croatia, which was the team’s opening game of the tournament.

It had been a confident start and Prince William – addressed as “Prince” in the conversation – was asked about what would constitute a successful World Cup.

“I think winning it,” he said. William also spoke of England manager Thomas Tuchel’s more “fluid” approach and less defensive style.

“Thomas, I think, prefers to go a bit more out there – and if we lose, we lose playing the way we want to play. And if you’re going to score four goals, we’ll score five. And I think that’s a really good attitude,” said Prince William.

A picture of Taylor Swift with Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte — Taylor Swift grabbed a selfie with William, George and Charlotte two years ago [X/KensingtonRoyal]

Prince William was asked about football culture – and he talked about the strange attraction of the highs and lows of being a supporter.

His own support for Aston Villa became even more intense when the team was relegated, he said.

“So I think weirdly, this sounds very odd, but I got into football more than ever when we got relegated,” he told the US podcasters.

“So when Aston Villa went from Premiership to Championship, I suddenly really enjoyed the battle to get back in the Premiership.”

The results of his beloved club could also affect his mood: “My weekend goes from being either the best we can in the world when we win… Or frankly, I don’t want to see anyone on Monday morning because I’m really down.”

He said that he’d become an Aston Villa supporter after watching them play for the first time, remembering it as a game against Bolton 26 years ago.

Travis had asked about whether Prince William’s love of football was inherited.

“Did your dad get you into Aston Villa or is this your own doing?” asked Travis.

“Absolutely not. My father hates football,” the prince replied.

He also warned the US hosts about the rowdier aspects of football support.

“Those rowdy evenings, those long afternoons, a few drinks, the social elements of it. You know, there are plenty of chants you guys don’t want to hear. They’re pretty spicy. They’re quite rude to broadcast.”

There were also insights into the prince’s thinking when he was asked about his role as president of the Football Association.

“Just don’t mess up,” he said, in a succinct piece of management advice.

The podcasters invited Prince William to name some of the best English players of all time – in what they imagined as footballing Mount Rushmore.

William’s list included Sir David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Harry Kane, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Sir Bobby Charlton.

“Harry Kane could end up being one of the greatest English strikers we’ve ever seen,” he said, with some prophetic accuracy, considering Kane became England’s greatest goal scorer in subsequent appearances.