Prince William rides Hastings funicular, plays crazy golf and hears fishermen’s concerns
The Prince of Wales visited Hastings, greeted by crowds braving sweltering heat
The Prince of Wales rode the historic funicular railway into Hastings before trying his hand at crazy golf and hearing first-hand concerns from local fishermen about the impact of warming seas during a visit to the East Sussex town on Thursday.
William arrived around midday, greeting crowds who had been waiting in sweltering conditions to see him. Telling well-wishers it was his first visit to Hastings, he urged children to cool off by heading into the sea.
"I hope you have all got suncream on," he said, before encouraging families to "make a big splash".
One young fan, Sebastian, was less impressed. After his mother introduced him to the prince, saying, "This is Sebastian, he's been waiting for you", the baby burst into tears as William crouched down to greet him.
"I know how you feel," William joked.
Taking on a crazy golf champion
William later visited Hastings Adventure Miniature Golf, where the World Crazy Golf Championships 2026 were held last month.
He played three holes against Murray Thompson, one of the UK's top-ranked crazy golfers, and met local players David and Marian Harley, who took up the sport after retiring.
Looking over the seafront course, William remarked: "If this is on your doorstep you've got to use it."
Watching Thompson sink three consecutive hole-in-ones, the prince laughed: "You make it look so easy."
Fishermen warn of changing seas
The prince also spent time with fishermen, netmaker Steven Gurka and the curator of a Hastings museum at the historic port, which is reported to be home to Britain's largest beach-launched fishing fleet.
Boarding the fishing boat Senlac Jack, William asked: "What's your theory on why there's no fish?"
He was told warmer seas and larger boats were among the reasons for declining catches. Gurka added that improved technology and overfishing were also contributing factors, saying he had watched fishermen return to port the previous day without enough fish to sell.
The visit came as the Met Office warned that the prolonged marine heatwave affecting UK waters throughout much of 2026 could reach extreme levels this week, with potentially significant impacts on marine ecosystems and wildlife.
William was presented with a copy of Generations, a book about the history of local fishing families, along with an illustrated tea towel from Yasmine Ornsby.
He also received a silver shell from the Winkle Club, a local charity whose members traditionally carry the shells in their pockets and can be asked to "winkle up" by producing them. William was told his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and former prime minister Winston Churchill were honorary members.
When Gurka invited him to try netmaking, William declined with a joke: "I will leave you to it, I'd put a hole in it."
Visit to community project
William ended his visit at Hastings Commons, an organisation that brings derelict buildings into community ownership and converts them into social spaces.
Speaking with young people at a youth club based in one of the restored buildings, he asked whether it felt like a safe place to spend time and whether it had changed the way they used social media.
One girl replied: "I prefer being here with friends than being on social media."