The Prince of Wales was in a buoyant mood as he toured Nansledan in Newquay the day after watching his side Aston Villa roar to victory in the Europa League final in Istanbul.
Prince William, wearing a blue shirt and claret tie in honour of the team he has supported since childhood, was clearly still revelling in their success, joking about losing his voice, which was noticeably hoarse, and saying, “I’m trying not to talk about it all day!”
The heir to the throne posed for selfies, shook hands, and petted a 15-week-old cocker spaniel called Professor Lupin, saying: "Hello, you're very sweet! I love dogs, ours are Orla and Otto."
"Is he behaving in the house? Is he chewing everything? Ours chew slippers,” William went on. “Anything left on the floor is gone.”
© Andrew Lloyd / Kensington PalaceOne local in the crowd shook the Prince's hand and said: "I just thought I'd ask, did you have any sleep last night?"
William laughed and replied: "You might hear it in my voice. On best behaviour!"
© Getty ImagesOn arrival, William was presented with posies of flowers from Year 2 and Year 4 of Nansledan Primary School and younger children from the Naturally Learning Nursery.
He apologised for sounding croaky, telling them: "I’m losing my voice."
© Getty ImagesFootballing tensions at Forest Lodge
The conversation quickly moved on to favourite football teams.
Told that two of the children were Arsenal fans, he remarked on their success in winning the league and their forthcoming Champions League final game, saying: "You've got a big match next week".
© Getty ImagesTold a little girl was a Chelsea fan, William then revealed Princess Charlotte also supports the team, rather than his beloved Aston Villa.
He said: "My daughter loves Chelsea."
© InstagramHe was later asked by a man in the crowd to send a message to his partner who wasn't able to join him for the occasion.
William happily obliged, looking into a camera to say, "Rebecca, happy birthday, what birthday is it?" Told it was 38, he joked, "Quite a few candles." When it turned out the phone hadn't been recording, William gamely tried again.
A new project
William was in Cornwall to see plans for Nansledan’s Market Street development, one of the first new high streets of its kind to be built in more than a century.
Once complete in 2028, it will provide commercial space for local artisans and businesses, supporting a vibrant local economy and community.
After his walkabout, William walked down the hill to see Nansledan’s first Build-to-Rent homes, stopping to chat to Nick and Jess Dunston and their young daughter Rosie, who had moved there from Truro.
© Getty ImagesNick, a carpenter and Jess, a local practice manager, are among the first residents of the three-bedroom homes.
"When you were looking for a place, what made you come here?" asked William. Citing having family nearby and the open spaces, Jess told him, "We love it here. It's a really nice upbringing for Rosie here. We do feel really lucky."
"I have to say, when we signed up [with the Duchy of Cornwall scheme] we didn't expect to meet you personally," joked Nick.
© Getty ImagesThe Prince then joined locals, including six-year-old Iggy, to leave handprints in clay, to make the cast for an artwork for Nansledan's new Market Street development.
"Get some more weight on that, Iggy," said the Prince, adding, "Push through the table! Wiggle your fingers."
The conversation returned to Aston Villa briefly, with someone commenting on goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. "He played with a broken finger last night," said William. "You don't need to break your fingers, Iggy."
William then repeated the handprints in a separate piece of clay with officials from the development project, "It does smell like Play-Doh," he said.
© Getty ImagesNansledan is an ambitious and sustainable urban extension to Newquay, which is being developed by the Duchy of Cornwall.
Market Street represents a key milestone in the suburb’s continued growth, which already includes around 900 homes, a primary school, offices, a community centre and more than 40 local businesses, alongside extensive green spaces such as wildflower meadows, parkland, orchards, wetlands, ponds, community allotments, play areas and a skatepark.
