MAKE THE UK SUIP AGAIN - Prince William on a mission to save pubs, where he ‘grew up’

PRINCE William is on a mission to save the traditional UK pub from a slow extinction. 

The Prince of Wales and next in line to the crown of the United Kingdom is keen to help save local ale houses after data showed an estimated 15 000 pubs have closed in the UK since 2000. 

That’s because the father of three ‘grew up in pubs’ sees them as the heart of the community.

During a trip to Scotland, William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, spent time at The Gothenberg pub in former mining village Fallin, where the prince ordered half a pint of cider.

According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, William told a table of local men, including pub owner Rob Donaldson: “I want to help pubs. This is the best place to come and get to know each other.

“[Pubs are] the heart of the community.

“I grew up in pubs. I absolutely love pubs.”

William was told how the pub is set up to put profits back into the local area, including subsidising rental flats for young people, and is a centre for various social activities in the village.

He added: “It’s crucial. It’s the human-to-human contact, isn’t it, rather than just being on the phone or watching TV.”

The 43-year-old royal was also told about the banter and ‘slagging off” between pals who visit the pub.

He laughed: “A bit of slagging off – we all need that occasionally. It brings us back down to earth.”

Catherine sat at a separate table with a group of teachers, and was delighted to receive a crochet bunny for her 10-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte from Adele Hodgson.

She said: “[Charlotte will] absolutely love that. She’s got lots of teddies on her bed”.

As the couple prepared to leave, Catherine - who also has sons Prince George, 12, and seven-year-old Prince Louis with William - looked at her husband's unfinished drink and said: “You need to finish that.”

But William laughed and said he wanted to stay on his "best behaviour".