Is walking a royal hobby?

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (now the Prince of Wales), recently stated that walking helped a lot to maintain his mental health.

Prince William about walking:

"Walking has been a feature of my life during the good times and the bad, come rain or shine. For me, it provides an opportunity to clear my mind and gain some perspective. It's a key part of how I manage my mental health.It can be a very sociable exercise or a moment of complete calm and isolation.
In the hope of inspiring a few other people to get active and take some extra time for their own mental health – I wanted to share a few of my stories and favourite songs with you in an episode of Time to Walk."

But who are/were other royals who liked to walk? Check it in this new hobby post. 





Austria


Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) loved to make long walks. 




Belgium


King Baudouin of Belgium liked walking during his talks with people. He asked author Henri Van Daele: "Shall we walk a bit around?"




Queen Paola of Belgium likes being out in the nature together with King Albert of Belgium and their (grand) children. She makes long walks in the wood. 

According to the site of monarchie.be, Prince Gabriel, the eldest son of King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde, loves hiking (making long walks).


France

King Louis XIV of France had a scheduled life although he made some time for walking!

Queen Marie-Antoinette of France liked to walk with her children at Versailles. She was pictured with her children walking in the Park of Trianon. 

A famous quote of Napoleon Bonaparte: "We walk faster when we walk alone."



Germany


Victoria, Princess Royal and German Empress Consort, daughter of Queen Victoria of The United Kingdom and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha used to walk in the morning. 


Victoria Princess Royal and Prince Bismarck




King William II of Württemberg,  considered to be a popular monarch, William had the habit of walking his two dogs in public parks in Stuttgart without being attended by bodyguards or the like. During these excursions, he would often be greeted by his subjects with a simple Herr König ("Mister King").


Emperor Franz Joseph and King William of Württemberg


When the Prince of Wales came to visit the King and Queen of Württemberg in 1913 he took to a daily walk through Stuttgart, sometimes together with his host King William II. of Württemberg. (via Sabine Hammerbacher). 


Japan

The former Emperor and Empress of Japan have long had a love of nature and the outdoors. The former Emperor is an avid sportsman,environmentalist and noted scientist with numerous published papers.
In fact, he begins each day with a bird and plant-spotting walk on his estate.



Monaco

Princess Grace of Monaco used to like walking. She said: "I love walking in the woods, along the trails, by the beaches. I love being part of nature. I love walking alone. It is therapy. One needs to be alone, to recharge one's batteries."




Russia


When he was deposed as a Tsar, Nicholas II, breakfasted, studied, walked, lunched, exercised, dined and taught history to Alexis




Grand Duchess Olga of Russia, the daughter of Tsar Nicholas II - like her siblings -enjoyed games of tennis and swimming with her father during their summer holidays and often confided in
him when she went with him on long walks.





The Netherlands


Queen Wilhelmina liked to be out and about. She loved walking in the nature and had a firm step. There are lovely pictures of Queen Wilhelmina and Princess  Juliana walking on the "Lange Voorhout" in The Hague (see on this link).





On Blue Monday 2022, Queen Máxima of The Netherlands, shared a picture at Instagram where she talked about walking and mental health. More on  this link. 


United Kingdom

Charles, Prince of Wales stated in 2013:

Speaking ahead of his guest editor appearance on TV’s Countryfile show to mark the programme’s 25th anniversary, he tells Radio Times magazine: “Walking is a terribly important thing for me.

“Rather like some people need a cigarette, I need a walk. I find it stimulates the thinking and the reflecting.” Charles, 64, runs the organic Home Farm in Gloucestershire.


Going back in time, King George III and his wife, Queen Charlotte, liked to walk in their garden at Kew Palace befor the King went ill.



To conclude


Many royals in past and present have discovered the benefits of walking. 



Source pictures: Wikipedia


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