Princess Kate’s Love for Cold Water Swimming: A Royal Hobby

The Princess of Wales, Catherine, is known for her diverse range of hobbies.

From photography to tennis, she enjoys keeping busy, often engaging in activities alongside her husband, Prince William, such as bike riding and rowing.

However, there is one hobby that the royal couple cannot seem to agree on – swimming.

Princess Kate recently shared on The Good, The Bad, and the Rugby podcast that she and Prince William have opposing views when it comes to this particular pastime, with her husband even going as far as calling her crazy.

In the podcast, the mother-of-three revealed her guilty pleasure, stating, “Personally, I love swimming.

Cold swimming.

The colder, the better.

I absolutely love it.”

She added with a laugh, “It's slightly to the point where William is like, ‘You're crazy!'”

Princess Kate explained that she seeks out the cold water, even in dark and rainy conditions.

However, she clarified that she wouldn't want to endure a freezing sub-zero ice bath.

During a visit to Wales last year, Princess Kate disclosed that she even has a robe specifically for after her swims.

While conversing with well-wishers, she noticed someone wearing a robe to keep warm in the rain.

This prompted her to share that she has always been able to withstand chilly climates and adverse weather.

Reflecting on her childhood sports experiences with her siblings, Pippa and James Middleton, she recalled playing hockey or netball in the freezing cold rain and thinking, “We are all totally mad.

But it has been really great fun.

I can always remember being physical and using our bodies – climbing in the Lake District or Scotland, swimming from a young age.”

Cold water swimming is believed to offer mental health benefits in addition to physical exercise, according to a study published by Harvard Public Health.

Independent medical nutritionist Dr. Sarah Brewer explained that this hobby is an effective way for the perpetually busy royal to manage stress and anxiety.

She stated, “Cold water immersion stimulates endorphins to improve mood and helps combat stress, anxiety, and depression.”

Dr. Sarah further emphasized that cold water keeps individuals in the present moment, making it the ultimate form of mindfulness.

It aids in achieving calm meditation by focusing on breathing.

Ali Phillips, who leads wild swimming sessions at the Lake District Spa, Armithwaite Hall, highlighted that cold water therapy provides an opportunity to disconnect from the outside world.

Once immersed in the cold water, individuals fully experience the moment and forget about everything else.

This makes it an ideal activity for Princess Catherine.

While Princess Kate and Prince William have had their fair share of ups and downs in their relationship, they ultimately found their fairy tale ending after meeting at St. Andrew's University in 2001.

One of the reasons behind their brief breakup was reportedly William's last-minute decision not to spend New Year's Eve with the Middletons in 2006.

At the time, a colleague witnessed the now Princess of Wales receiving the breakup call in the office car park in London.

Catherine appeared upset and engaged in what seemed like an argument.

Following the call, she remained silent and disappeared for the rest of the day.

In hindsight, it was undoubtedly a disagreement between a girlfriend and boyfriend.

After their temporary split, the couple announced their engagement in 2010 and tied the knot the following year.

Since then, they have welcomed three children into their family.

Princess Kate's love for cold water swimming serves as a unique and refreshing hobby for the royal, allowing her to find solace and tranquility amidst her busy life.