The number of football teams in the UK who can boast a royal among their supporter base is very small indeed - so Burnley is privileged to count none other than King Charles himself among their supporter base. And the monarch reaffirmed his support for the Clarets during a royal visit this week.

The King visited aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on Tuesday, March 4, as the Royal Navy finalises preparations for a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific this spring. But it seems he had other - arguably far more important matters - on his mind when he met one crew member.

Able Seaman Marc Rutherford met the King on the bridge, describing it as "the proudest day of my life since joining the Royal Navy". "I’m still in shock," he said. "He was funny and I was surprised he would support a team like Burnley – Newcastle would be much better.”

King Charles reportedly started supporting the Clarets following visits to the area in 2010 and then again in 2012. He even has his own VIP season ticket.

Asked why he had chosen the East Lancashire club, the then-Prince of Wales said: “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.”

When it comes to football, loyalties are divided in the royal household - although they mostly seem to like teams sporting claret and blue. Prince William is a vocal Aston Villa supporter, and is reportedly raising Prince George to back the Birmingham team too. Queen Elizabeth II - a Londoner through-and-through - reportedly followed the ups and downs of West Ham, while Prince Harry is said to back Arsenal.