Prince William has donated £1,000 to help save a village pub, giving a major boost to a community campaign aiming to bring the historic venue back to life.
The Prince of Wales made the donation to the Semington Community Benefit Society, a group working to purchase and reopen the Somerset Arms in the village of Semington, Wiltshire in England.
The pub, which dates back around 200 years, closed its doors in 2023 and is currently on the market for £395,000.
Local residents have been fundraising in an effort to buy the building and return it to community ownership.
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Alongside the donation, Prince William wrote to campaigners and highlighted the important role village pubs play in rural life.
In his letter, he described rural pubs as a "lifeline" for local communities, underlining their importance as places where people can meet, socialise and maintain community connections.
The royal backing has been warmly welcomed by those leading the campaign.
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Andy Cobley, vice-chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society, said local residents were stunned by the Prince's support and the recognition it brings to their efforts.
"We are over the moon that Prince William has made this donation and also at his recognition of how important pubs are within the community," he said.
"We are incredibly excited and stunned. It is brilliant His Royal Highness can recognise what is going on in these small villages and help us out. It's fantastic."
The donation represents a significant endorsement of the campaign, which hopes to secure the future of a pub that has long been at the heart of village life.
Across the UK and Ireland, rural pubs have faced increasing challenges in recent years, with rising operating costs, changing social habits and economic pressures contributing to closures. Community ownership schemes have become an increasingly popular way for residents to preserve local amenities that might otherwise be lost.
Campaigners in Semington hope the Prince's contribution and public support will help generate further momentum as they continue fundraising efforts to save the Somerset Arms and reopen it as a community hub for future generations.
