Amid the Harry drama, Prince William couldn’t have picked a more awkward place to visit this week

Prince William’s first official visit to Hastings came on a day that royal watchers couldn’t help but find amusing, with the Prince of Wales carrying out engagements in the historic East Sussex town while his younger brother, Prince Harry, dominated headlines for very different reasons.

As Harry continued to face criticism over his attack on a High Court judge following the dismissal of his privacy case, William was hundreds of miles away meeting fishermen, chatting with families and even trying his hand at crazy golf.

The coincidence was not lost on royal observers.

One insider joked: “You can’t make up that William is in Hastings of all places today just as Harold is having one of the worst weeks of his life.”

Comic timing aside, William’s visit marked his first official engagement in Hastings, where he spent the day celebrating the town’s proud maritime heritage and meeting organisations making a difference in the local community.

Making a memorable entrance, the Prince travelled down the East Hill funicular railway—the steepest funicular railway in the UK—before being greeted by crowds of well-wishers enjoying the summer sunshine.

Among those waiting to meet him was 15-month-old Sebastian Bowley, who burst into tears as William approached.

“I know how you feel,” the Prince laughed. “It’s hot down here!”

He also encouraged four-year-old Arthur Turney, who had dressed as Spider-Man, to make the most of the warm weather.

“Today is the chance to swim,” William said. “Go and make a big splash!”

The Prince’s first stop was Hastings’ famous fishing quarter, where he met local fishermen to hear about the challenges facing one of Britain’s oldest fishing communities.

Hastings is home to the UK’s largest beach-launched fishing fleet, with a maritime history stretching back more than 1,000 years.

William toured the town’s iconic black net shops before climbing aboard the fishing vessel Senlac Jack to speak directly with fishermen about the impact of overfishing, Brexit and changing industry pressures.

During the visit, William received one of the day’s most unusual honours when he was made an honorary member of the Hastings Winkle Club, a charitable organisation founded by local fishermen in 1900.

As part of the tradition, he was presented with a silver winkle charm.

“That’s a stunning winkle,” William joked as he accepted the gift. “I will take good care of my winkle.”

The Prince laughed as members explained that every Winkler is expected to carry a winkle shell at all times and produce it whenever challenged to “Winkle Up” or face paying a charitable fine.

“I might do it on the Trooping of the Colour,” William quipped.

The honour places him in distinguished company. Previous honorary Winklers include Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the Duke of Kent, Sir Winston Churchill and Field Marshal Lord Montgomery.

William later swapped fishing boats for miniature golf at Hastings Adventure Golf, where he met local champions and young people supported by the charity Xtrax. Although he narrowly missed a hole-in-one, he successfully navigated the course’s famous windmill obstacle on his second attempt.

The Prince concluded his visit by touring Hastings Commons, a charity that transforms disused buildings into homes and community spaces, reflecting his long-standing interest in tackling homelessness through his Homewards initiative.