Royal Lessons: Prince George's Hobby Cut Back By William And Kate

One of William’s key priorities as a father is ensuring that George has the opportunity to pursue his own hobbies and passions, but within certain boundaries. While George, who is now in his teens, has developed a keen interest in sports, especially football (soccer), William is careful not to push him into any one path. Reflecting on his own experiences growing up in the royal family, where his hobbies and interests were sometimes influenced by tradition or expectation, William is determined to allow George the room to make his own choices.

During a visit to the Birtley Community Pool in Tyne and Wear, England, on Oct. 3, the Prince of Wales, 42, revealed that his 11-year-old son is excited by scuba diving. "George loves scuba diving. He's 11 years old. We took him under thinking he would freak out. He absolutely loves it. It's just introducing him to the world of water," Prince William said at the stop, 'Hello!' reported.

Yet, it's Prince George's keen interest in video games that has posed a unique challenge for them. To manage this, William and Kate have set certain rules around George's gaming to monitor his screen time closely.

This detail about Prince George's hobby was shared by Prince William himself during a visit to BAFTA's headquarters in 2022, where he has served as president for over a decade. He disclosed that regulating gaming and screen time was a current concern, especially for George.

"At the moment it's trying to regulate the gaming... monitoring screen time. Got to be careful of that," said William at the royal engagement. "They're fascinated by it. George particularly. He's more interested in it.

The other two are a bit too small at the moment but they love the films. I adore film and gaming as well."

Kate and William are said to have implemented a ban on iPads for their children when they were very young, instead promoting imaginative play and outdoor activities. As reported in Us Weekly back in 2018, an anonymous source close to the couple stated, "They're very much seen as Mummy and Daddy's toys, not for children.

Scuba sounds like the perfect substitute. William said: "He was ten years old, we took him under, thinking he'd freak out, but he absolutely loved it. It's just introduced him to the world of water."

And it runs in the family. Kate loves swimming in cold water herself. "The colder, the better. I absolutely love it," the Princess of Wales said on the show, which is hosted by Princess Anne's son-in-law Mike Tindall. "Slightly to the point where William's like, 'Catherine, you're crazy.' And it's dark, and it's raining," she joked in the episode, released in September 2023.

Despite the spotlight that often shines on the royal family, William’s approach to parenting reflects a desire to keep things as normal as possible for George. He is known to be very hands-on with his children, often involved in school runs and family outings, which helps maintain a sense of normalcy. It’s also clear that he wants George to understand the value of hard work and responsibility, while also letting him have the freedom to enjoy a wide range of activities without pressure.

As Prince George grows older and his royal duties will inevitably begin to take shape, Prince William’s careful balancing of encouraging George’s hobbies while controlling the pace and intensity of his royal life will be key. The Duke’s focus on a healthy family dynamic and allowing his children the freedom to grow at their own pace is central to his parenting philosophy, ensuring that George’s childhood remains as fulfilling and carefree as possible.