Come on in, the water s just fine… At least, that s what Kate Middleton thinks. The Princess of Wales went on “The Good, The Bad The Rugby” along with her husband Prince William and aunt-by-marriage Princess Anne. While taping at Windsor Castle she revealed that she s not afraid of a cold water plunge—she actually loves it.
“As a family, we are very active,” the Princess says. “Personally, I love swimming. Cold swimming, the colder [the water] the better.”
She s not the only one. Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga, and Madonna are just a few of the celebrities who have gone on the record for their love of cold plunges—and Dutch extreme athlete Wim Hof created an entire wellness movement around cold exposure. There are scientifically-backed benefits to the Princess s habit, which include reduced anxiety, help with fighting symptoms of depression, and a boosted immune system.
“It s slightly to the point where William is like, you re crazy," she adds with a laugh. “I seek out the cold water.”
“The Good, The Bad The Rugby” is hosted by Mike Tindall, a former rugby player and husband to Princess Anne s daughter Zara, along with James Haskell and Alex Payne. Other topics of note included the impact of exercise on mental health, an important subject for the young royals.
Prince William also talks about the importance of team sports for children, including his own, calling it “an important part of growing up.” He adds: “Physical exercise is so good for us. It s always understated, in the same way sleep isn t really talked about, but it s absolutely crucial to our wellbeing.”
