Prince William has made a private £1,000 donation to a campaign group who want to save their local pub. The Prince of Wales has given money to the Semington Community Benefit Society, which is fighting to save the Somerset Arms near Melksham in Wiltshire. It has been closed since 2023 and is currently on the market for £395,000.

The move came after the Prince visited the Prince of Peckham pub in south London and was overheard telling punters: "I want to do as much as I can to support them because I love the community. We need to protect our pubs."

William wrote a letter to the group alongside his donation, in which he describes rural pubs as a "lifeline" to communities. Andy Cobley, vice chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society, says William’s support has been a huge boost and said local people were "amazed".

He added: "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. 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."

William was also invited to come along to pull the first pint at the Somerset Arms if it is saved.

After Prince William's recent statement about how vital it is to save local pubs, Ian Williamson, chair of the Semington Community Benefit Society, said: "This is exactly what William was talking about. We're writing to thank him for supporting pubs like ours, and we'd love to welcome him when we get it reopened."

In his reply to the Semington Community Benefit Society, William wrote in a letter: "I am very keen to support the role that pubs play, not only as businesses, but as community hubs that contribute so much to the fabric of our nation. I look forward to coming down to pull a pint and celebrate your success."

Back in June, William added that pubs are “the glue and fabric” of a community, saying: “It’s the people – the team – around a pub that make it.” Speaking about the owner of the recently renovated pub, he added: “It’s a family business, which is good, because that makes the pub.”