The Prince of Wales played a round of crazy golf and spoke to fishermen about the effects of warmer seas during a visit to a seaside town.
Arrival via funicular railway
William arrived via a funicular railway to greet a crowd of people who had waited in sweltering heat to see him in Hastings, East Sussex, around midday on Thursday. After telling them it was his first visit to the town, the prince encouraged the waiting children to cool down and “make a big splash” in the sea.
Crazy golf challenge
William tested his putting skills at Hastings Adventure Miniature Golf, where the World Crazy Golf Championships 2026 took place last month. He played three holes against Murray Thompson, one of the top-ranked crazy-golfers in the UK, and met local players David and Marian Harley, who took up the game in their retirement. Admiring the course next to the seafront, William told them: “If this is on your doorstep you’ve got to use it.” Watching Mr Thompson sink three consecutive hole-in-ones, the prince joked “you make it look so easy”, as his opponent celebrated.
Discussions with fishermen
William also spoke to local fishermen, a netmaker and the curator of a Hastings museum during his visit to the historic port that is reportedly home to the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Britain. Boarding a fishing boat named Senlac Jack, he asked: “What’s your theory on why there’s no fish?” He was told that warmer seas and bigger boats were among the reasons, while netmaker Steven Gurka added that improved technology and overfishing were also factors. Mr Gurka said he had watched fishermen return to port on Wednesday without enough fish to sell. The Met Office warned that the long-lasting marine heatwave across UK waters for much of 2026 could reach extreme levels this week, which could significantly affect ecosystems and wildlife.
Gifts and community engagement
Yasmine Ornsby gave the prince a book called Generations about the histories of fisherfolk from the area and an illustrated tea towel. William was also given a silver shell by the Winkle Club, a local charity. Members of the club are said to carry the shells in their pockets and can be asked by fellow members to “winkle up” to prove their membership by displaying the shells. William was told his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Winston Churchill were among the previous honorary members of the Winkle Club. When Mr Gurka asked if the prince wanted to try netmaking, William replied: “I will leave you to it, I’d put a hole in it.”
Visit to Hastings Commons
He also visited Hastings Commons, an organisation taking derelict buildings into community ownership and making them into social spaces. He asked people playing pool at a youth club created in one of the Commons’ buildings if it felt like a safe space, and if it changed their use of social media. One young girl, who was drawing, told William: “I prefer being here with friends than being on social media”. Earlier in the visit, William told those gathered in the sunshine that he hoped “you have all got suncream on”, and encouraged everyone to swim in the sea. One woman introduced her baby son, saying: “This is Sebastian, he’s been waiting for you”, but when William crouched down, Sebastian burst into tears. “I know how you feel,” the prince joked.
