King Willem-Alexander flew a KLM plane with Feyenoord supporters to Prague as copilot on Wednesday. The Rotterdam fans were on their way to the Czech capital for Thursday evening’s game in the Conference League when a familiar face appeared in the cockpit. Guus Til also could hardly believe it when he passed on ESPNreporter Cristian Willaert was made aware of the presence of the king.
Feyenoord supporters were told on arrival in Prague RTV Rijnmond asked about the king’s presence. “There was a security guard and he stopped me well,” said a fan to the regional broadcaster. “But I think he is now for Feyenoord.” The Government Information Service (RVD) has informed the broadcaster that ‘the king’s guest pilotship for KLM is a private matter’ and will not confirm it.
?? Guus Til cannot believe that King Willem-Alexander flew a plane full of Feyenoord supporters to Prague. ?? “That’s a joke I suppose. No, really?”
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Nov 24, 2021
“But isn’t this beautiful? I think it’s really funny!”, continues the supporter. “We’re going to make this a great party.” Til, who previously traveled to Prague with the selection of Feyenoord, was also informed of the presence of the king in the device with supporters. “That’s a joke, I take it?” said Til, to which Cristian Willaert confirmed it again. “Really? I’ve seen pictures too, but that was a ghost, wasn’t it?”
Til then switches quickly and hardly seems impressed. “That man has a life too, right? I didn’t expect that question. Yes, what do you want me to say about it?” King Willem-Alexander flies more often as a co-pilot. The monarch has a pilot’s license and has to make a certain number of flights per year to keep it. Feyenoord supporters saw their chance to capture Willem-Alexander on the sensitive plate, but were kept away by security staff.
Arne Slot’s press conference also discussed the KLM flight of the supporters. “I have read it all,” says the Feyenoord coach. “What do I think? When they land safely that’s nice and they are. It would have been nice if he had flown us, but we’re here to qualify for the next round.”