Prince William appears to have shifted his stance on cold water swimming after telling a group of sea swimmers in north Wales that he now enjoys the practice, despite previously suggesting Princess Kate was “crazy” for her devotion to icy dips.
During a visit to Colwyn Bay today, the Prince of Wales met members of the Marine Conservation Society’s Youth Ocean Network and spoke to swimmers from the Colwyn Bay Blue Tits, a local cold water group.
He told Chrissy Bolton, Georgia Daniels and Midge Owen Smith that he has taken part in cold water dips in Scotland and agreed that “you feel great afterwards”.
William added: “I love it. I do a lot of yelling and screaming when I get in.”
The comments mark a clear contrast to remarks made by the Princess of Wales in 2023, when she revealed during an episode of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast that her husband had questioned her enthusiasm for the freezing hobby.
At the time, she said William would tell her: “Catherine, you’re crazy” for seeking out cold water swims even in dark and rainy conditions.
Speaking on the podcast, Kate explained that she personally “loved” the cold and regularly encouraged others to join her.
“It’s dark, and it’s raining, and I’ll go and seek out cold water,” she said.
Prince William appears to U-turn on Princess Kate’s ‘crazy’ hobby with surprising admission
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RYAN JENKINSON / KENSINGTON PALACE / YOUTUBE: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE RUGBY
William’s new remarks suggest a softening of his stance and come as he continues a series of engagements focused on environmental work and youth wellbeing across coastal communities.
The Prince of Wales visited Porth Eirias as part of a day highlighting the work of young people working with the Marine Conservation Society to improve ocean literacy and promote the mental health benefits of time spent by the sea.
He was greeted by a crowd of around 250 people and spent time shaking hands and chatting with well-wishers who had gathered on the sand.
Alison Bickers travelled from Chester to see him and said she admired his environmental focus. “He does so much for the environment,” she said.
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Prince William made the admission during his trip to Colwyn Bay
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Mari Barnhart, originally from Indianapolis and now living in Old Colwyn, brought her dog, Ned, to meet the prince.
She said it was “exciting to be a part” of the visit and added that her friends in the United States would “never forgive me if I didn’t come down”.
Angela Jones from Conwy said she had managed to speak to William and share a hug, describing him as “so tall” and saying she “loves him”.
William heard from members of the Youth Ocean Network about their involvement in the Hiraeth Yn Y Mor project, a community-led initiative that concluded in March 2025.
Mike Tindall, Prince William and Princess Kate pictured on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast
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The scheme supported young people in Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Towyn to engage with their local coastal heritage and to promote sustainable management of the region’s marine environment.
The prince listened to stories about the project’s impact and spoke with young volunteers about the importance of ocean literacy and the benefits of connecting with the natural environment.
He also toured Youth Shedz in the village of Mochdre, an organisation that provides support for young people facing challenges, including school exclusion, bullying and homelessness.
The charity, founded in 2017, offers activities and workshops designed to help build skills and confidence.
William was given a bag of sweets for his children on arrival, joking that the treats “may never make it back to the children”.
The Prince of Wales previously lived in north Wales while serving as a search and rescue helicopter pilot at RAF Valley in Anglesey.
He left the armed forces in 2013 but later worked with the East Anglian Air Ambulance before stepping down in 2017 to focus on full-time royal duties.
His apparent endorsement of cold water swimming will draw attention to a hobby long associated with the Princess of Wales, who has openly encouraged the health benefits of cold dips and spoken of her passion for exercise and outdoor sport.