The heir to the throne joined a game of adventure golf and discussed how rising sea temperatures are affecting local fishing communities during a trip to the East Sussex coast.
William made his way to the location using the cliff railway, arriving to meet well-wishers who had gathered in the hot afternoon sunshine in the coastal town at approximately noon on the ninth of July.
After mentioning this was his inaugural trip to the area, the royal encouraged the young people present to take a refreshing dip in the water and enjoy themselves.
The prince tested his putting abilities at the Hastings Adventure Miniature Golf course, which hosted the World Crazy Golf Championships just last month.
He completed three holes in competition against Murray Thompson, one of Britain’s leading players in the sport, and spent time with retired couple David and Marian Harley, who discovered the game after finishing work.
Admiring the seaside course, he remarked that locals should take full advantage of having such a facility so close to where they live.
Observing Mr Thompson sink three successive hole-in-ones, the prince quipped that the feat appeared deceptively simple, prompting celebration from his opponent.
William also engaged in conversation with local anglers, a craftsman who makes fishing nets and a museum curator during his visit to the historic harbour, which is understood to operate Britain’s biggest fleet of boats launched directly from the beach.
Stepping aboard a vessel called Senlac Jack, he inquired about what those present believed was causing the decline in fish stocks.
He learned that elevated water temperatures and increasingly large fishing vessels were contributing factors, while netmaker Steven Gurka noted that advances in technology and excessive fishing pressure were also playing a role.
Mr Gurka described how he had observed boats coming back to harbour on Wednesday with insufficient catches to bring to market.
Meteorologists at the Met Office cautioned that the prolonged period of unusually warm sea temperatures affecting British waters throughout much of this year could intensify to critical levels in the coming days, potentially causing substantial harm to marine environments and wildlife.
Yasmine Ornsby presented the prince with a publication titled Generations, documenting the heritage of the town’s fishing families, along with a decorated cloth for serving tea.
He additionally received a silver winkle shell from the Winkle Club, a charitable group operating in the area.
It is understood that members of this organisation carry the shells on their person and may be requested to produce one to verify their involvement in the club.
The group apparently counts the late Queen Elizabeth II and the wartime leader Winston Churchill among its former honorary supporters.
When Mr Gurka invited the prince to attempt net-making, William declined by saying he would leave such work to the expert, fearing he might damage the material.
He also toured Hastings Commons, a collective that acquires disused structures and transforms them into spaces for community use.
At a youth facility established within one of these repurposed buildings, he questioned young people enjoying a game of billiards about whether the venue felt secure and whether it had altered their online habits.
One teenager occupied with drawing told the prince she found spending time with companions in the building preferable to using social platforms.
Earlier in the visit, the royal had reminded those assembled in the bright weather to apply sun protection and expressed hope that everyone would take the opportunity to swim in the sea.
One resident brought forward her infant son, explaining that the child had been eager to meet him, though when William bent down to speak, the baby began to cry.
The prince responded light-heartedly, expressing empathy for the child’s nerves.