SCHOOLGIRL Amelia White has snorkelled with seals and manatees, but taking the plunge with Prince William was an adventure in a league of its own.

The 13-year-old snorkelling champion from Appleton joined the Duke of Cambridge in the pool as he celebrated taking over the presidency of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) from his father, the Prince of Wales.

The Duke celebrated his new role by pulling on his wetsuit and diving into the pool with Amelia, one of the BSAC’s youngest advanced snorkel lifesavers, and eight other young snorkellers.

She said it was a privilege to meet Prince William, who is second-in-line to the throne, and snorkel with him at the Oasis lido in the West End of London earlier this month.

The Matthew Arnold School pupil, who has been snorkelling for five years, said: “He was really friendly and chatty with the younger kids, really down to earth. I’m a young leader at our club and I help out some of the less experienced snorkellers but he definitely didn’t need my help, he was really good at it.”

Amelia has previously snorkelled with marine animals in Florida while on holiday, but the second-in-line to the throne made for a very different diving partner.

Amelia’s mum Debbie, 46, who is snorkel officer at Oxford BSAC Scuba Diving Club, went to London with her and spoke to Prince Charles while her daughter was busy snorkelling with Prince William.

She said: “Prince Charles was talking to me all about our club and the sorts of things we do to encourage children to take up the sport.”