Prince William once called Kate Middleton crazy for her hobby, but has now fallen in love it; can you guess what it is?

Prince William may finally be warming up to one of Kate Middleton's favourite hobbies, despite once describing her enthusiasm for it as "crazy". The Prince of Wales has revealed that he is now tempted to take a dip in cold water during countryside walks, suggesting that his wife's love for outdoor swimming may have rubbed off on him. The royal's comments appeared in a special issue of Country Life magazine, which he guest-edited. William spoke about his growing appreciation for nature and included swimming trunks among his favourite things. His latest remarks have drawn attention because they mark a change from his earlier reaction to Kate's enthusiasm for swimming in freezing water.

Why did Prince William call Kate Middleton's hobby 'crazy'?

Kate’s love of cold water swimming was previously discussed on the Good, the Bad and the Rugby podcast in 2023. In an interview with host Mike Tindall, the Princess of Wales disclosed that she likes to swim even in gloomy and wet conditions. “It’s better to be cold. I love it, absolutely love it,” Kate said, adding that sometimes she goes outside just to look for cold water. She remembered her husband's reaction to her unusual enthusiasm: "Catherine, you're crazy," William would tell her.

The conversation offered a glimpse into the couple's different approaches to outdoor activities. While Kate enjoys taking a plunge in chilly water, William was initially less convinced by the idea.

What did William say about cold-water swimming?

In his Country Life guest-edited issue, William revealed that he's now tempted to swim when he comes across a beautiful river on a walk. "I'd love us to have rivers that are clean enough for all of us to swim in," he told the magazine. He added, "There's something about the sound of running water that I find impossible to resist."

The Prince continued that whenever he encounters a beautiful stretch of river, he feels tempted to jump in for a quick cold-water dip, adding that it pays to be prepared. William also hinted at a change in attitude during a November 2025 visit to Colwyn Bay in Wales, where he met members of a local cold-water swimming group. Speaking about the experience, he joked, "I do a lot of yelling and screaming when I get in."

Kate Middleton's love for the outdoors

The Princess of Wales has often spoken about her connection with nature and how spending time outdoors helps her feel grounded. In her conversation for the special Country Life issue, she also discussed how nature has played an important role during difficult periods of her life. William's latest comments suggest that the couple may have found another outdoor interest to enjoy together. While he has not said that he regularly goes cold-water swimming, his willingness to embrace the activity marks a noticeable shift from calling his wife's passion crazy.