Photo by Amit Jagnade
The Prince of Wales visited Colwyn Bay in North Wales on 25 November to meet young marine conservationists from the Marine Conservation Society’s Youth Ocean Network who have been publicising the wildlife-rich coastline to their peers and adults.
William travelled to the coastal town to learn about the work of participants in the society’s Hiraeth Yn Y Môr (Longing for the Sea) project, which concluded in March 2025. The two-year initiative saw young people working with North Wales coastal communities in Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Towyn to grow ocean literacy, improve the sustainable management of local marine heritage, and promote the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with the ocean.
In bright winter sunshine, William chatted with young volunteers and Gareth Cunningham, the Marine Conservation Society’s director of conservation and policy, during a beach walk near the town centre. The Prince told a group from the project: “I know it’s difficult to keep interest in marine things, well done for keeping going.”
Cunningham said about William: “There was proper engagement, you could see he was really passionate about the project and encouraging us to do more.” Speaking about the significance of the waters off Colwyn Bay, he added: “The whole bay here is globally important for sea birds, it is a really important bit of coastline, but it’s about how we regenerate the sea and: how do we do that with people’s engagement?”
Cunningham explained that the approach involves “starting to bring back oysters and other species, that will clean up the water, but also do it in a way that will help people’s health, their engagement, their wellbeing and their livelihoods as well.”
When he arrived at the seaside town, William chatted to dozens waiting on the promenade and was hugged by one well-wisher. The Prince told another: “You’ve been here for a while, I can tell – you’ve got the coldest hands.”
The Prince also visited an organisation called Youth Shedz at its headquarters in Mochdre, which co-creates safe spaces with young people who may be experiencing complex challenges. The future King spent his day in the region highlighting opportunities and activities for young people, joining some of them for a game of pool.
William knows North Wales well, having spent the early years of his marriage based on nearby Anglesey whilst flying search and rescue missions with the RAF. He heard stories of what young people learnt through their work on the Hiraeth Yn Y Môr project and discussed the ocean’s influence and the importance of spending time by the sea for mental wellbeing.
The Youth Ocean Network is made up of a team of young people who work with the Marine Conservation Society to help improve youth engagement in marine conservation across the UK.