The Prince of Wales appears to have undergone a dramatic change of heart, wholeheartedly adopting a hobby he once deemed 'crazy' – his wife's love of outdoor cold water swimming.
From Skeptic to Enthusiast
The surprising revelation came to light during a royal walkabout in Colwyn Bay, Wales, where Prince William met with members of the Colwyn Bay Blue Tits, a local cold water swimming group. He confessed to the enthusiasts that he has now taken several icy dips himself, specifically mentioning having done so in Scotland.
William enthusiastically agreed with the swimmers about the invigorating after-effects, stating, "you feel great afterwards". He added with characteristic humour, "I love it. I do a lot of yelling and screaming when I get in."
Kate's 'Crazy' Admission
This new-found passion marks a significant shift from just two years prior. In 2023, during a special episode of the podcast The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, the Princess of Wales made an unexpected confession about her love for plunging into cold water.
Speaking with Princess Anne and her son-in-law, Kate explained that she would seek out cold water swims even in dark, wet conditions, remarking, "The colder the better." It was during this conversation that she revealed her husband, Prince William, thought her habit was 'crazy'.
A Shared Royal Interest in Wellness
The Princess's dedication to the practice is well-established. On a separate occasion in Wales, Kate Middleton noted that she even has a specific robe she uses after her swims. This detail emerged when she spotted someone else wearing one to keep warm in the rain.
This royal endorsement aligns with growing evidence of the benefits of cold water immersion. According to an article published by Harvard Public Health, the practice is believed to offer significant mental health advantages in addition to being good physical exercise.
Cold water swimming is not Kate's only aquatic skill. Kensington Palace confirmed back in 2015 that she is a qualified scuba diver, having passed a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Advanced Open Water Diver qualification. This allows her to dive to depths of up to 30 metres.
Meanwhile, the Prince has his own history with hobbies that cause spousal concern. Kate Middleton once admitted to being "terrified" of William's past motorcycle riding, expressing a hope to "keep George off it." William, however, has since tempered that hobby, explaining during a visit to the Isle of Man TT races that being a father of three meant he had to "tone it down."
