In a delightful revelation, Prince William has expressed his newfound enthusiasm for cold water swimming, a pastime that his wife, the Princess of Wales, has long cherished.

During a visit to north Wales on Tuesday, the 43-year-old heir to the throne engaged with members of the Colwyn Bay Blue Tits, a local group dedicated to the bracing activity. Speaking with Chrissy Bolton, Georgia Daniels, and Midge Owen Smith, Prince William shared his experiences with cold dips in Scotland, enthusiastically stating, “You feel great afterwards.”

He further confessed, “I love it. I do a lot of yelling and screaming when I get in,” illustrating his animated approach to the icy challenge.

This marks a significant change in perspective for the Prince of Wales. Just earlier this year, during an appearance with his wife on Mike Tindall’s “The Good, The Bad & The Rugby” podcast, Kate humorously recounted how William had once deemed her “crazy” for her fondness of the cold water sport.

It appears that the icy waters have not only invigorated Prince William but also brought him closer to a shared interest with the Princess of Wales, bridging personal pastimes with royal engagements.

In 2023, during their appearance on Mike Tindall’s The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Podcast, Kate revealed her husband had called her ‘crazy’ after she discussed her own love of the sport. 

During the 50-minute episode, which also featured Princess Anne, Kate revealed: ‘I really, genuinely love all sports. Personally, I love swimming wherever I can.

‘Cold swimming – the colder, the better. I absolutely love it. Slightly to the point where William’s [saying], “You’re crazy” and it’s dark and it’s raining.

Prince William has shared his surprising love for cold water swimming – a hobby beloved by his wife, the Princess of Wales

It appears William has made quite the U-turn as Kate revealed in 2023 (pictured) that her husband had called her ‘crazy’ for her love of the sport

‘I will go and seek out cold water. I love it.’

Advocates claim, based on some scientific evidence, that wild swims can improve moods and deliver a much-needed boost to people on a day-to-day basis. 

Physiologically, experts believe the improvements to mental health may be caused by the shock of cold, particularly on the face, prompting a fight or flight response in the body.

This can boost levels of dopamine and the release of endorphins – feel-good hormones – in the brain, according to experts.

Celebrities also known to enjoy a cold plunge include David and Victoria Beckham, and singer Ed Sheeran. 

And now, it seems, Prince William has got on board with the soaring health trend too. 

The heir to the throne is known to be sporty, recently playing a game of volleyball during his visit to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize. 

Adoring female fans couldn’t get enough, and social media was full of praise for the ‘sexy’ royal’s athletic physique. 

Prince of Wales on a beach walk with young people who are part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Youth Ocean Network, in Colwyn Bay

During his university years, William was also a fan of swimming. As reported by Woman & Home, the royal was on the water polo team at Eton, with Prince Harry even mentioning the fact in his best man speech at William and Kate’s wedding.

The Prince of Wales then captained the team at St Andrew’s, and was in 2007 made Patron of the English Schools’ Swimming Association.

‘Having swum and played water polo throughout my days at school and university, I am well aware of the great benefits and pleasure that can be derived from them,’ he said at the time.

‘ESSA enables children all over the country to share in these benefits, teaching them to swim – and swim to the highest standards – and generally to enjoy their time in the water.’

He is also fond of rowing, having in recent years joined Royal Navy crew for a trip as he marked a Mental Health Awareness campaign.

It is also understood he is a keen runner, in 2023 telling interviewers that he had enjoyed a morning jog in New York’s Central Park, while visiting for the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, HELLO reported.

And while not much is known about his current regime, as recently as 2019 British rapper Stormzy revealed that he had bumped into William at his gym.

Elsewhere during Tuesday’s visit, William met members of the Marine Conservation Society’s Youth Ocean Network. 

Tanned and sporting a trimmed beard, the father-of-three was also notably looking to be in great shape during a volleyball game in Brazil earlier this month

Speaking to the young volunteers who gathered to greet the Prince, alongside Gareth Cunninham, the MCS’s Director of Conservation, thanked them for raising awareness about the importance of Wales’s beaches. 

The visit was a poignant one for the royal, as the region holds importance significance for him. 

William worked as a Search and Rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey, off the north-west coast of Wales, between 2010 and 2013.

At the time, he and Kate lived in a rented cottage around 40 miles away from Colwyn Bay.

William left the armed forces in 2013, later serving as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, before he stepped down to focus on royal duties in 2017.

After walking along a stretch of beach near the town centre, William visited a nearby restaurant and told the group from MCS: ‘I know it’s difficult to keep interest in marine things, well done for keeping going.’ 

For his second visit of the day, His Royal Highness visited an organisation called Youth Shedz at its headquarters in Mochdre.

William was seen enjoying a round of the card game UNO and having a go at a game of pool.

Last week, William and Kate, both 43, joined an array of stars like Jessie J, Matt Lucas and host Jason Manford at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the Royal Variety Performance, which senior members of the Royal Family take turns to support.

Among this year’s cast was the world-famous Paddington, whom both Catherine and William were particularly taken with. The future King even remarked on the bear’s ‘yummy’ sandwich.

Meanwhile Kate said George, Charlotte, and Louis would be jealous that she and William had a meet and greet with Britain’s beloved bear.