Prince William Wants to Be 'Prepared' for a River Swim — and Princess Kate May Be the Reason
Earlier, William thought Kate was 'crazy' to try out the adventurous activity.
Princess Kate has a significant influence on Prince William, and they share a strong bond, often sharing affectionate moments in public. William has confessed that he isn't as skilled at cooking or art as his talented wife, Kate; however, she has changed his mind about something else. Reportedly, his recent guest-edited issue of Country Life magazine hinted at a unique hobby he might have picked up from Kate.
In the 'A few of my favorite things' section, the Prince of Wales has notably included swimming trunks among a selection of items like his family's pet spaniels and a flat cap, hinting at a more playful perspective beyond traditional preferences. "I'd love us to have rivers that are clean enough for all of us to swim in," he explained.
"There's something about the sound of running water that I find impossible to resist. If I come across a beautiful stretch of river on a walk, I'm always tempted to jump in for a quick dip in the cold water, so it pays to be prepared." This remark comes as a surprise, especially since earlier William had expressed no interest in cold water activities, unlike Kate.
The Princess of Wales had revealed her love for cold plunges while appearing with William on a special edition of Mike Tindall's The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast. Kate said she enjoyed "swimming wherever [she] can". "Cold swimming - the colder, the better," she went on. "I absolutely love it. Slightly to the point where William's says, 'You're crazy,' and it's dark, and it's raining. I will go and seek out cold water. I love it."
Currently, it seems William is "always tempted" to swim in a river and wants to be "prepared." While it's uncertain if he frequently takes the plunge, he is receptive to the idea. He is known for his strong swimming skills, having played water polo at both Eton and the University of St Andrews.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have rubbed off their love for adventure onto their three children as well. In 2024, William visited a community swimming pool and said he and Kate believed their eldest son might feel overwhelmed during his first time swimming. "Catherine and I both adore swimming.
George loves scuba diving. He was 10 years old; we took him under, thinking he'd freak out, but he absolutely loved it. It just introduced him to the world of water," he said.
