

It’s no secret that the Princess of Wales enjoys a good workout, but there’s one exercise routine that’s a bridge too far for her husband, Prince William—cold swimming.
On a joint appearance (along with Princess Anne) on Mike Tindall’s “The Good, the Bad, & The Rugby” podcast, Kate spoke about the importance of being active, and revealed one of her current fitness endeavors is cold swimming. “The colder, the better,” she said. “I absolutely love it. Slightly to the point where William’s like, ‘Catherine, you’re crazy.’ And it’s dark, and it’s raining.”
Per People, while meeting well-wishers in Wales earlier this year, Kate spoke about wearing a robe after her swims: “She said she wears one of them when she goes cold water swimming,” local Alison Cheeke said. Why cold swimming? An article from Harvard Public Health said that cold water swimming is believed to provide both mental health benefits and physical exercise, although, admittedly, evidence is mixed.
In addition to cold water swimming, Kate stays in shape by playing tennis and jumping on the trampoline with her three children before school—which even resulted in a recent minor hand injury for the princess.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
King Charles Employs 28 Personal Household Staff Members That Have to Do Some Really Weird Job Duties
Talk about “other duties as assigned.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
If You Want to Work for the Prince and Princess of Wales, You Have To Pass a Truly Bizarre Test First
We, um, were not expecting this.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
King Charles Had Just Two Frosty Words for Son Prince Harry After the Release of the Netflix Docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’
The King’s composure surrounding his younger son allegedly broke for a moment.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
If You Want to Work for the Prince and Princess of Wales, You Have To Pass a Truly Bizarre Test First
We, um, were not expecting this.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Princess Kate “Felt Like a Caged Animal” While Living in Kensington Palace
Her family of five relocated to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor in September 2022.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Once the Peacemaker Between Prince William and Prince Harry, Princess Kate Now Considers Her Relationship With Harry Over
It’s one of many bombshells Omid Scobie is dropping this week in his new book.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Princess of Wales and Meghan Markle Haven’t Spoken Since 2019, New Book Claims—and Yes, That Includes at Joint Appearances
The “silence was palpable” as Kate and Meghan rode in a car together to Windsor Castle for a walkabout after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Queen Camilla and Princess Kate Are a “Unit Together” When It Comes to Fashion Choices, Expert Says
“You could feel this kind of exchange going on between them, which I think is really interesting.”
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Princess Kate Makes History in 100-Year-Old Tiara Not Seen Since the 1930s
She’s only the second royal to ever wear it publicly.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
The Royals Have a Footwear Brand That Both Kate *and* Meghan Love
Meghan kickstarted the trend; Kate now owns six different styles.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales Have a “Unique Relationship” Because of Their Shared Bond as Wife to an Heir, Royal Expert Says
“There is literally no one else for Catherine to turn to who has direct experience of the role that will one day be hers.”
By Rachel Burchfield