William joins the popular beach volleyball game in Cornwall

The Prince of Wales took part in an impromptu game of volleyball on one of Britain’s most popular beaches.

William joined a game with teenagers from a local lifesaving club on Fistral Beach in Newquay, Cornwall.

The warm spring weather, with temperatures of around 16C and a gentle breeze, drew large crowds to the beach to enjoy the sand and waves – as well as a chance to see the prince.

The beach is popular with surfers and regularly hosts international competitions as well as the Boardmasters festival.

William started the game and his serving prowess proved too much as the opposition repeatedly knocked the ball into the net as he attempted a return.

William, who is also the Duke of Cornwall, a title inherited from his father after the Queen’s death, runs the Duchy of Cornwall, a portfolio of land, property and investments valued at more than £1bn, which provides a legacy income. to the throne.

During the visit, the Prince met members of Holywell Bay and Newquay Surf Lifesaving Clubs and watched demonstrations of training exercises including surfboard skills and CPR.

He asked a group of teenagers, “What’s it like out there? Looks good for a few waves.”

The Prince also met members of the RNLI patrolling the beach and spoke to lifeguards on duty at the lifeboat station.

This year the RNLI celebrates its 200th anniversary, having been established in 1824.

Before leaving, William met members of the public and posed for selfies.

Earlier, he visited a Duchy of Cornwall housing project at Nansledan in Newquay, aimed at providing a home for homeless people.

The scheme – in partnership with Cornish charity St Petrocs – will see 24 homes built on Ducat land for people experiencing homelessness.

As well as having somewhere to live, the project will provide full support and is inspired by Homewards – a five-year program run by the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Royal Foundation to show that ending homelessness is possible.

Construction is scheduled to begin in September, with the first homes due to be completed next fall.

During the visit, William met Max Hedges, 26, from Camborne, who was helped by St Petrocs after experiencing homelessness and is now joining the Royal Navy.

“It was brilliant (the prince was in a) great mood,” he said afterwards.

“I told him a bit about myself and why I’m involved with St Petrocs, where I’ve been and what I’m doing now and the evolution at St Petrocs.

“They helped me enormously – I needed a safe place to live and I needed a base camp to rebuild my life.

“I’ve just had so much support from the staff and now we’ve become friends.”

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “Today is the first time the prince will see the site of the new homes.

“We look forward to hearing from the Ducat team about how the work is progressing and from St Petrocs about the impact the project will have on people experiencing homelessness locally.

“Both Her Royal Highness and the Duchy hope that this project will serve as an inspiration to others.”