Prince William may now be known for his steady, statesmanlike image, but there was a time when the future king had a serious need for speed with a hobby.
And while he loved the thrill, it was one pastime that reportedly left Kate Middleton anything but calm.
Long before royal duties and school runs took centre stage, William was a keen motorcyclist. He passed his motorbike test back in 2002 at just 19 and quickly developed a passion for powerful machines, often seen roaring around on high-speed bikes including the Ducati 1198. Capable of hitting around 180mph, it was not exactly a hobby designed to soothe worried loved ones.
He even turned biking into a bonding experience with Prince Harry, with the brothers tackling a gruelling 1,000-mile motorbike journey across South Africa in 2008, all in the name of charity.
Prince William’s hobby that ‘horrified’ Kate Middleton
While William relished life on two wheels, Kate was far less enthusiastic about his daredevil streak.
During a visit to Dundee in 2015, the Princess of Wales openly admitted how nerve-wracking she found it. “â€
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