The Prince and Princess of Wales are renowned for their shared passion for an active, sporty lifestyle, from polo and tennis to surfing and running. However, one of Prince William's favourite adrenaline-fueled pastimes has long been a source of dread for his wife, Catherine.
A Hobby That Fills Kate With Dread
Despite their competitive natures and many shared interests, Princess Kate has openly admitted to hating William's love of riding motorbikes. The high-risk nature of the activity, which gets the adrenaline pumping, was a major concern for the mother of three, who worried about her husband's safety.
Kate first revealed the depth of her anxiety back in 2015, during a visit to Dundee. At the time, the couple were four years into their marriage with a two-year-old Prince George and a baby Princess Charlotte. "He's still riding it," she said of his motorbike. "It always fills me with horror when he goes out on it. I'm terrified. Hopefully, I'm going to keep George off it."
William's Reluctant Compromise For His Family
Listening to his wife's valid fears, the future King made a conscious decision to scale back his beloved hobby. Speaking at the Isle of Man TT races in 2018, William acknowledged the shift, stating: "I'm a dad of three. I have to tone it down. I miss big trips, for me biking was always about being with everybody else."
His passion for motorbikes began young; William obtained his motorbike license at just 19. A few years later, he and his brother, Prince Harry, embarked on a memorable 1,000-mile charity trip across South Africa, raising an incredible £500,000. Yet, as his family grew, the risks became harder to justify.
Not The Only Royal Voice Of Caution
Princess Kate was not the only member of the Royal Family to express concern over William's two-wheeled adventures. His father, King Charles III, has also historically worried about his sons on motorbikes. At a reception in St. James's Palace when the princes were younger, Charles noted: "I always worry about them. It's about other cars not being able to see you. I'm always telling my sons that."
Despite his promise to reduce the risky rides, William's enthusiasm occasionally won out. In 2018, during a tour of Triumph Motorcycles in Hinckley, the then 35-year-old prince couldn't resist taking a new Triumph Tiger 1200 for a spin. After a quick ride in helmet and leathers, his only complaint was that it was "very nice" but "not long enough."
The story highlights the balancing act between personal passion and family responsibility, even for a future monarch. While William's love for motorbikes remains, his role as a father and husband has necessitated a more cautious approach, much to the relief of a worried Princess of Wales.
