Prince George and his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are making quite a splash with their extracurricular activities, showcasing a love for swimming that seems to run in the family.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been open about their children’s hobbies, and recent insights from Prince William reveal more about their family dynamics and leisure pursuits.
During a visit to the Bertley community pool in Ty, Prince William shared that both he and Catherine enjoy swimming, a passion that their children have also embraced.
While Charlotte and Louis are known to enjoy the pool for some laps, it’s George, at just 10 years old, who has taken on the adventurous sport of scuba diving.
For parents, taking children to their first swimming lessons is a significant milestone, and for the royal family, securing a private lesson can pose a unique challenge given their high profile.
The royal family reportedly makes good use of the late Queen’s impressive London home, including the Buckingham Palace swimming pool, a favored spot among royals for many years. Back in 2014, it was revealed that Princess Charlotte was already taking George for weekly swimming lessons in a private setting. Their youngest sibling, Louis, has also been introduced to the joys of swimming.
In a delightful parallel, Princess Eugenie recently shared that her sons have taken a liking to swimming as well, particularly while on holiday in Portugal.
She noted that while the sea can be rough, her son August is a “big fish” who loves to swim, hinting at the possibility of a cousinly beach outing in the future.
This week, the Buckingham Palace swimming pool has made headlines following King Charles III’s decision to lower the water temperature for environmental considerations. Anyone wishing to take a dip is required to adhere to a dress code, with modest swimwear expected to maintain the palace’s decorum.
The royal family’s affinity for swimming is deeply rooted. Queen Elizabeth II was an accomplished swimmer from a young age and served as a patron of the Amateur Swimming Association. She believed in the benefits of swimming beyond competition, a passion that has been passed down through the generations to her son, King Charles III, and granddaughter Zara Tindall, both of whom are keen swimmers.
Prince William has also made it clear that swimming is a family affair, noting that he and Catherine ensure their children are comfortable in the water. He affectionately referred to the royals as a “family of swimmers.” While Buckingham Palace’s pool remains a favorite, Catherine has expressed her preference for outdoor cold-water swimming, while Queen Camilla enjoys the ocean.
The couple’s family vacations have included sun-soaked getaways to the Caribbean, where George celebrated his sixth birthday on the private island of Mustique. The family also has a history of exploring Jordan, where Catherine lived for two years, and the Isles of Scilly off the Cornish coast, where they have been spotted cycling around Tresco Island.
As the young royals continue to embrace their love for swimming and water sports, it’s clear that the values of adventure and fitness are being instilled in the next generation of the British royal family.
