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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower

Prince William shares favourite childhood pastime inspired by Charles and Philip

Prince William has revealed one of his favourite childhood hobbies was climbing trees for several hours as he enjoyed being in the great outdoors.

The Duke of Cambridge was speaking on podcast Climate of Change, with Hollywood A-lister Cate Blanchett, when he shared some of his memories growing up.

He explained his passion for the countryside came from his father and grandfather, Prince Charles and Prince Philip.

As a youngster he often climbed trees and dug ditches, he revealed.

The future king, 39, said: “I think my grandfather, my father, both kind of having a deep passion and interest in this area for many years, has sort of piqued my interest and my curiosity.

The Duke of Cambridge with Danny Kelly and Cate Blanchett (PA)

“So growing up, I was surrounded by kind of this adventure and this idea of exploring and being out in the garden.

"I used to spend hours climbing trees, digging ditches and all sorts of things - hiding in dens and all sorts round the garden.

“So I used to love being out in the sort of wild and the wet.”

He also told of his “stubborn optimism” that the climate crisis can be stopped, and revealed he wants to see more women taking part in possible solutions.

Last year the Duke revealed more about his childhood as well as his favourite songs, memories and moments from his life in an episode of Apple Fitness podcast, Time to Walk.

Prince William revealed he loved to climb trees (Audible)

He opened up about the importance of keeping mentally fit and reflected on a light-hearted moment when he was drawn out of his comfort zone.

He also discussed the value of listening as a way to empower others, and shared an experience that led him to prioritise mental health.

One of the revelations was he listens to Tina Turner to keep alive memories of his beloved mum .

He said: “When I was younger, Harry and I, we were at boarding school. And my mother used to play all sorts of songs to kind of while away the anxiety of going back to school.

Cate Blanchett hosted the podcast chat (Audible)

“And one of the songs I massively remember and has stuck with me all this time, and I still, to this day, still quite enjoy secretly, is Tina Turner’s 'The Best' because sitting in the backseat, singing away, it felt like a real family moment.

“And my mother, she’d be driving along, singing at the top of her voice. And we’d even get the policeman in the car, he’d be occasionally singing along as well.

“You’d be singing and listening to the music right the way out into the gates of school, when they dropped you off.

"When I listen to it now, it takes me back to those car rides and brings back lots of memories of my mother.”

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