As we get used to life under a new monarch, we had a look through the archives and uncovered the moment when King Charles III revealed he was a Burnley FC fan.
King Charles has taken over the role as monarch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II – his mother – last week aged 96.
While we never knew which football team the Queen supported – or if she was even a football fan at all; horse racing and equestrian seemed to be Her Majesty’s favourite sports – King Charles III and Prince William haven’t kept their allegiances under wraps.
And while both support the claret and blue, they follow different teams, with the new Prince of Wales an Aston Villa fan, and the new King a Burnley FC supporter.
It was during a reception at Windsor Castle 10 years ago that Charles revealed his team colours, when he spoke to the audience of his love of Turf Moor.
His connection with the town is well-known, having visited Burnley four times between 2006 and 2012, and he and the Queen stopped there in 2012 as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
It was during a ceremony for the British Asian Trust held at Windsor that he revealed he is a Claret.
He told the gathered audience: “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.
“My charities have been working there together to demonstrate that an integrated approach can produce the best dividends.”
The club had already known it had the royal seal of approval for years before he made the news public.
A club spokesperson at the time said: “It’s no surprise to see Charles reaffirming his support for Burnley Football Club as we know he keeps a close eye on our results.”
On a previous visit to the town – sporting Burnley pin badge, a claret and blue tie and handkerchief – in 2010 the King visited Turf Moor and was presented with a personalised shirt, before spending time discussing the club’s future and results at the time.
King Charles is by far the biggest name to follow the Clarets, who count a number of famous fans among its followers.
These include journalist and spin doctor Alistair Campbell, cricketer – and the greatest fast bowler of all time – James Anderson, and radio DJ and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here contestant Jordan North.
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