The Prince of Wales has been speaking to people in north Wales to shine a spotlight on young people living in coastal communities.

Prince William has returned to the region where he previously spent several years serving as a search and rescue helicopter pilot in the RAF.

During his visit, the prince went on a beach walk in Colwyn Bay with members of the Marine Conservation Society’s Youth Ocean Network and spoke to some of the Colwyn Bay Blue Tits – a cold water swimming group.

He told swimmers Chrissy Bolton, Georgia Daniels and Midge Owen Smith that he has done some cold water dips in Scotland, and agreed that “you feel great afterwards”.

Prince William arrived to cheers from a crowd of about 250 people at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay and spent some time shaking hands and chatting with people lined up along the sand.

Alison Bickers, from Chester, came across the border especially for the visit and said she was thrilled to see him because he “does so much for the environment”.

Mari Barnhart, originally from from Indianapolis in the US and now living in Old Colwyn, was on the beach with her dog Ned.

She said it was “exciting to be a part” of it and that her American friends would “never forgive me if I didn’t come down”.

Angela Jones, from Conwy, said she managed to have a chat and a hug with Prince William, adding that she “loves him” and “can’t believe he’s so tall”.

In addition to members of the Youth Ocean Network – a team of young people who work with the society to help improve youth engagement in marine conservation across the UK – Prince William met volunteers and young people who were involved in the society’s Hiraeth Yn Y Mor project.

The community-led project, which concluded in March 2025, saw young people engage with the coastal communities of Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Towyn.

The initiative was focused on growing ocean literacy, improving the sustainable management of the local marine heritage and promoting the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with the ocean.

The prince heard stories of what they learned through their work on the project and chat about the ocean’s influence and the importance of spending time by the sea for mental wellbeing.

He also visited Youth Shedz in the village of Mochdre, which creates a safe space for young people who might be experiencing challenges such as school exclusion, bullying and homelessness.

After being presented with a bag of sweets for his children upon his arrival at Youth Shedz, he joked that they “may never make it back to the children”.

The charity was founded in 2017 and offers support to children and young people navigating complex challenges.

It offers activities and workshops that help them build the foundations for a fulfilling life.

The prince is also due to visit a comedy workshop run by Welsh comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean, co-founder of Gwneud, Make, Do.

The comedy school was created to allow people across the region to develop their comedic talents and open up more art opportunities, particularly for those from low-income households or living in rural locations.

Pritchard-McLean and aspiring comics will talk to the prince about the challenges young people face in accessing opportunities with the arts in remote coastal areas.

The future king was based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, off the north-west coast of Wales, during a three-year tour with the Search and Rescue Force.

He left the armed forces in 2013 but later served as a helicopter pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance before stepping down in July 2017 to focus on his royal duties.