Although we’re used to seeing the British royal family in ultra-formal public functions like the Royal Ascot or the Trooping the Colour, there’s plenty of time in between these events for the royals to let loose, relax and dive into their favorite hobbies.
Queen Camilla, for example, has opened up about needing a distraction in the pandemic and turning to dance classes for some fun. With a few friends by her side, the royal began weekly ballet classes. “I thought it was going to be very funny and I was going to laugh at everybody toppling over next door to me, but I think we concentrate so hard we don’t even know what our friend next door is doing,” the royal told Former Principal of The Royal Ballet Darcey Bussell and Angela Rippon in an Instagram video. “When I stand there I think to myself, ‘Drop your shoulders, breathe deeply, don’t hunch.’ It’s those sorts of things which you have ingrained in your memory.” Talk about an A+ student!
And, as it turns out, Camilla isn’t the only royal to develop a new skill and passion over the years. So, as we prepare for the rest of the summer season ahead, why not take a look at all the royal summer hobbies not everyone knows about? Get inspired by all of their summer hobbies below!
Kate Middleton Loves Beekeeping
While visiting the Natural History Museum in South Kensington in 2021, the Princess of Wales showed off her love for beekeeping. In one moment, she offered the kids a jar of honey. “Would you like to try some?” she asked the kids, per Hello! Magazine. “I’ve got one spoon each. This came specially from my beehive.”
“Every time you see a bee; say thank you so much because they make delicious honey,” Middleton added. What a sweet gesture!
Prince William Has a Passion for Motorcycles
Prince William (and yes, it’s him in the photo), loves motorcycles. “I don’t know what it is about bikes, but I’ve always had a passion for motorbikes ever since I was very small,” the Prince of Wales told Express. “I used to do a lot of go-karting when I was younger and then after that I went on to quadbikes and eventually motorbikes.”
For the royal, there’s one thing bikes can bring that no other mode of transportation will do: give him anonymity. “It does help being anonymous with my motorcycle helmet on because it does enable me to relax,” he explained. “I just enjoy everything about motorbikes and the camaraderie that comes with it.”
King Charles Is an Avid Gardener
In addition to being the new monarch of the U.K., King Charles also holds the title of the biggest fan of gardening in the royal family. In an appearance at the Gardeners’ Question Time, per Town & Country, Charles called the activity “the most therapeutic business.”
Prince Philip Loved to Barbeque
Although most of his dishes were surely done by chefs, it turns out the late Prince Philip loved to occasionally sneak out to the kitchen, or outdoor grill, to barbeque. “Prince Philip [loves] cooking, and at the barbecue, he [is] amazing,” Queen Elizabeth’s former private chef, Darren McGrady, told PureWow, per Medium. “They go out to the lodgings and Prince Philip [cooks] dinner while they’re at Balmoral Castle. He’s the chef in the family.”
Queen Camilla Dabbles in Ballet
Right after becoming the vice-patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, Queen Camilla opened up about taking ballet lessons with a group of friends during the pandemic. “I got a group of ancient friends together and the four of us sort of clatter around, and when we’re in London, we do it once a week and it makes all the difference,” she said in a video posted to Instagram.
Queen Elizabeth II Loved to Ride Horses
Ever since she was gifted a pony by her grandfather King George V on her fourth birthday, the late Queen Elizabeth II developed a deep love for horses. “The horses are her,” show rider Kate Jerram told The Telegraph. “They are her life; they are her family. She’s an incredibly knowledgeable lady regarding her horses, which gives me immense pleasure.”
Prince Harry Is a Fan of Polo
Since he was a kid, Prince Harry loved watching and playing polo. And if you think the royal’s polo days were over when he moved across the pond, think again! As it turns out, Harry has continued his hobby at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. “I really do think that people are accepting them [Harry and Meghan Markle],” royal reporter Richard Mineards told Hello! Magazine. “They love watching Harry play polo. And it did wonders for the Polo Club because spectator numbers soared — merely to see His Royal Highness going through the paces with Nacho [Figueras].”
Prince George & Prince Charlotte Are Learning Ballet
Following the footsteps of her older brother Prince George, Princess Charlotte has also joined in learning ballet. Although George is learning the dance as part of his “Year 1” curriculum at Thomas’s Battersea school in London, Charlotte is taking classes privately in a dance school in South London, People reports. “My daughter Charlotte loves dancing,” their dad Prince William once told fans at a Commonwealth reception in March, per People. “George is doing dancing as well. He loves it.”
Princess Diana Had a Special Connection With Water
Throughout her life, the late Princess Diana turned to swimming to let off steam and let go of stress. “There were so few moments where she felt serene and calm,” a good friend of Diana’s told Imagining Diana author Diane Clehane. “Swimming gave her the elusive peace she was always searching for—even if it was only for a few minutes a day.”
King Charles & His Chickens
As a part of his sustainability efforts, King Charles raises chickens in his home in Highgrove House. Per Medium, Charles is so dedicated to raising his cherished Burford Brown and Maran chickens that he was chosen as the patron of Great Britain’s Poultry Club.
Queen Camilla Is a Skilled Illustrator
Although practicing ballet is a new hobby for Camilla, there’s one activity she’s been doing since she was a kid: drawing. During a conversation with writer Charlie Mackesy for her new book club, Camilla opened up about being such an artistic kid, People reported. “I just love your drawings,” she told the author. “I’ve spent my whole life as a child doodling horses. I used to do it everywhere, but mine, unfortunately, haven’t turned out like yours.” Over the years, she’s shown off her illustrator skills like in this visit to Hamburg, Germany, when she drew The Gruffalo.
Kate Middleton Is an Amateur Photographer
As any big fan of the royal family could tell you, Kate Middleton is sometimes the photographer of her family’s royal portraits. As it turns out, in addition to her love of taking pictures, the royal studied Art History in college and even wrote her thesis on photography, Medium reports.
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