Prince William arrived in Walsall today on his first ever official visit to the region to be greeted by hundreds of well-wishers waving flags and bearing gifts.

More than 200 fans gathered at the town’s Gala Baths to welcome the future King, there to launch the finals of a national schools water polo competition.

Dressed smartly in a grey suit, light blue shirt, navy tie and black shoes, he waved to the crowd as he climbed out of a navy blue Jaguar surrounded by bodyguards.

Long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton was not there, but the heir to the throne was happy and relaxed as he chatted to the crowd.

He was presented with carnations and a penny by two young admirers who he stopped to speak to for more than a minute before heading inside the building to watch the final rounds of the competition. A keen water polo player himself, the prince took part in the early rounds of the competition when he was a pupil at Eton. Since last May he has been patron of the English Schools Swimming Association which runs the tournament.

One of the youngest people who turned out to catch a glimpse of the future King was seven-year-old Molly Taylor from The Butts who went along with her mother Elaine.

Molly said: “I’m very excited to see the prince and I’ve never seen a prince before.

“I can’t wait to tell my teacher at school on Monday about it.”