Expert reveals surprising benefits of Kate Middleton's 'crazy' hobby after Prince William's change of heart
An expert has revealed the benefits of cold swimming after Prince William revealed his change of heart on Kate Middleton’s love of the hobby.
Swimming in nature isn’t for everyone, but for those who swear by the chilly routine, it’s a refreshing activity like no other.
Cold swimming, like the name suggests, is the act of taking a dip in natural bodies of water, such as a lake.
The hobby has been one that many enjoy all over the UK, and surely all over the world too, and according to Professor Joyce Harper, it can trigger the ‘release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood boosters, creating a sense of euphoria and well-being.’
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She wrote in a blog that ‘it also stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to motivation, pleasure, and reward, as well as oxytocin, the hormone responsible for bonding, trust, and social connection.’
Prince William’s reaction to cold swimming
However, Prince William once called it ‘crazy’, and may have been horrified to learn that a few years after making the comment, he’d be joining his wife in the water.
During a special guest editorship of Country Life magazine, per People, he revealed his newfound appreciation for it.
“I’d love us to have rivers that are clean enough for all of us to swim in,” he told the publication.
William added that he finds it helps him feel more connected to nature.
“There’s something about the sound of running water that I find impossible to resist,” William admitted. “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.”
However, three years ago, he had a different reaction to the sport when Kate explained her love for it during a 2023 episode of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.
“The colder, the better. I absolutely love it,” Kate said.
She added: “Slightly to the point where William’s like, ‘Catherine, you’re crazy.’ And it’s dark, and it’s raining.”
But while those who swim say they feel the benefits, are there actually any?
Benefits of cold swimming
Karen Marshall, an Open Water Swim Coach who has been coaching swimmers in outdoor swimming since 2020, it’s a feeling many people agree to having once they take a dip.
Having trained with Olympic swimmer Keri-Anne Payne through Straight Line Swimming, Marshall knows what swimming can do for the mind, but also the trials and challenges of the hobby.
She told Tyla that it’s great for clarity, noting: “Getting into cold water is mind gymnastics. You’re concentrating so hard on what you’re feeling and how you’re coping that there’s no room for anything else. Work, worries - which I’m sure for William are more complicated than mine! - the to-do list all disappear.”
She said: “For those few minutes it’s complete relief from everyday thoughts, and people get out feeling clear-headed, calm and a bit proud of themselves.”
There’s also the case that it truly does connect you with nature.
She said: ““Being outdoors is good for all of us. Being surrounded by natural beauty puts life in perspective. The wildlife, the weather, the changing seasons are all completely out of our control, but we can immerse ourselves in them and cope, and that’s fine.”
She added: “There’s something really freeing about that. You notice these changes through the year, and the swim becomes a way of feeling part of it rather than hiding from it.”
As for William, she explained that his yelling and screaming is ‘completely normal’ when getting into chilly waters.
She told Tyla: “That yelp William describes is completely normal. Anything below 15°C counts as cold water, and when you get into it your body has a cold water shock response: you gasp, your breathing speeds up and your heart rate jumps.”
She added: “That’s very different from just feeling chilly on a cold day. Nobody gets rid of the response completely, but you can learn to manage it. Get in slowly, breathe out long and steady, and give yourself 60 to 90 seconds before you start swimming.”
Safety first
Although she says there are benefits to swimming in the cold, Karen revealed there is a time that’s best to begin.
“The best time to start is late summer, so you can follow the cold down as the water cools,” she said. “Kate and William are already swimming, so they’re doing exactly that. It becomes a challenge to follow the water temperature down through autumn and into winter. Your body adapts gradually, and by winter, water that would have felt impossible a few months earlier feels manageable.“”
Above all else, however, safety is key.
Karen says you should swim others, and keep things short for the initial periods until you can acclimate to the hobby.
She said: ““It’s best not to swim alone, keep your first swims to a few minutes, and warm up gently afterwards. Get dried and out of wet clothes quickly, with layers and a hot drink (a sweet snack is good).
“If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure or asthma, or you’re pregnant, talk to your GP first. A session with a qualified coach is the safest way to begin.”
Topics: Kate Middleton, Prince William, Health, Royal Family
Britt Jones
