Prince William breaks major Royal rule on West Country trip

Prince William has cheekily confessed to flouting a major Royal protocol during his visit to the iconic Fistral Beach in Cornwall. It came just hours after he steered clear of Prince Harry who was also in the UK for his Invictus Games event at St Paul's Cathedral.

The Duke of Cornwall expressed an eagerness to swap his formal attire for a wetsuit and hit the waves, but duty called, and he remained fully dressed for his official engagements. Yet, he couldn't resist bending the rules slightly when nine year old Phoenix Kanes asked him to sign his plaster cast.

As reported by the Mirror, whispering to the boy, William said: "Shhh, don't tell anyone. I'm not meant to do that!

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This isn't the first time a Royal has engaged in such forbidden interactions. Last year, Kate disclosed at the Chelsea Flower Show that she wasn't permitted to autograph children's drawings, although she did contribute a small doodle. Similarly, King Charles has been known to decline autograph requests, once explaining to admirers, "Sorry, they don't allow me to do that."

William, the Duke of Cambridge, was spotted down on the beach with representatives from local organisations promoting safety by the sea. He was there to engage with community members and workers ahead of the anticipated summer rush.

In particular, staff and children from Holywell Bay and Newquay Surf Life Saving Clubs, who provide training and support for volunteers aiming to prevent drowning in open water, caught his attention. Given William's well-known surfing abilities, a skill he honed during childhood holidays in Cornwall with his brother, Harry, the beach surroundings brought back fond memories. "It brings it all back. I want to put on a wetsuit and get out there now!" remarked the Prince with nostalgia hovering in his voice.

Showing that he's no stranger to the sport, Prince William proceeded to impress onlookers with three phenomenal serves. After this brief demonstration of his athletic prowess, he passed the ball to a team member and retreated to play in the back row.

He attracted quite a crowd, many of whom eagerly aimed to snap a selfie with the affable prince, which he happily obliged. An unexpected but heartwarming moment occurred when 11 year old Harriet Fox-Furness presented him with a homemade card of Truro for him and his wife Kate.

Earlier, he had visited a Duchy of Cornwall housing project at Nansledan in Newquay aimed at providing homes for the homeless. The initiative, in collaboration with Cornish charity St Petrocs, will see 24 homes built on Duchy land for those experiencing homelessness.

Not only will it provide a place to live, but the project will also offer comprehensive support. It is inspired by Homewards a five-year programme led by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, demonstrating that ending homelessness is achievable.

Construction is due to start in September, with the first homes expected to be completed by autumn next year.