He’s a surfer

He’s a surfer
Getty Images

This is one of the surprising hobbies the British royal family does in their spare time. We may not think of Britain as a great place to surf, but Prince William has been known to don a wet suit and hop in the chilly water on his board. He was spotted taking a break from nappy duty after Prince George was born by surfing at a bachelor party (or as the English say, “stag do,”) in Devon on the English coast. He’s also been photographed boogie-boarding with Prince Harry in Cornwall. At a surfing charity event, also in Cornwall, Prince William reportedly said, “We should have brought our wet suits, I’m very jealous. Living by the beach is just perfect.” The very sporty Prince also loves soccer and polo (bonus fun fact: He’s left-handed, which initially made playing polo difficult, as only the right hand is allowed to hold the mallet).

Advertisement

He and Duchess Catherine almost didn’t make it down the aisle

He and Duchess Catherine almost didn’t make it down the aisle
Getty Images

Their royal nuptials on April 29, 2011, were watched by millions. Yet, it almost didn’t happen. The couple, who met when they were both attending St. Andrew’s University, actually broke up in 2007. “It was very much trying to find our own way, and we were growing up so it was just a bit of space, and it worked out for the better,” Prince William said in their engagement interview. The Duchess agreed: “At the time I wasn’t very happy about it, but it actually made me a stronger person,” she said. “You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realised. I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you are younger, and I really valued that time for me as well although I didn’t think it at the time.” Even after they got back together, it was quite some time before the Prince proposed in 2010, earning her the nickname “Waity Katie.”

He’s always had sibling rivalry with Prince Harry

He’s always had sibling rivalry with Prince Harry
Getty Images

These 19 rarely seen photos of royal siblings, including Princes William and Harry, prove they’re just like any other brothers. The two Princes haven’t been shy about displaying their good-natured rivalry: After his exams in for the Royal Air Force, Prince Harry joked in a joint interview, “It’s still hard work, but I’m better than William, so it’s fun.” Prince William countered when asked if he helped his brother study, “Oh yes, he needs an awful lot of help.” And when Prince William was expecting his second child with Kate, Harry said with a laugh, “I can’t wait to see my brother suffer more.” Then just recently when Prince William was asked about Harry’s new baby, William said, “I’m very glad and pleased to welcome my brother to the sleep deprivation society.” Although rumours of a real rift between the brothers have been brewing, it’s most likely that the two are just going in different directions as they’re getting older.

He’s been bullied for his hair loss

He’s been bullied for his hair loss
Shutterstock

Prince William also seems to have a sense of humour about his hair loss. “He’s got way more [hair] than me, thank God,” he told reporters after the birth of Prince George. But that still shouldn’t give others an excuse to hair-shame him, as actor Rob Lowe recently did in an interview. “I mean the future king of your country let himself lose his own hair, so when I say British men set a very low bar [for vanity],” the well-coiffed Lowe said. “Honestly, one of the great traumatic experiences of my life was watching Prince William lose his hair. He’s going to be the king of England!” But as one Twitter commenter pointed out, “The crown will cover it anyway.” Well said!

He believes he has a “normal” family

He believes he has a “normal” family
Shutterstock

Continuing the down-to-earth parenting of approach of his mother, Prince William says the Windsors are “a normal family,” and he’ll strive to maintain that even as Prince George, the third in line to the throne, learns about his destiny to be king. “They’ll be a time and a place to bring George up and understand how he fits in the world, but right now it’s just a case of keeping a secure, stable environment around him and showing him as much love as I can as a father,” he told the BBC. As for William himself, “I don’t lie awake waiting or hoping [to be king],” he says, preferring to focus on his young family. “I want to bring my children up as good people. If I can’t give my time to my children…then I worry about their future.”

When William becomes first in line to the throne, these 16 things will happen once Queen Elizabeth dies.

Sign up here to get Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox.

Source: RD.com

 

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: