Prince William brought back some exciting, and slightly stressful, memories during his recent visit to the Belfast City Campus of the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. While exploring the Virtual Production Studio, the Prince of Wales couldn’t resist hopping on a stationary motorcycle for a virtual ride through the Arizona desert.
In a video shared on his official Instagram account, William seemed perfectly calm as he embraced the moment. “Any excuse to get on a motorcycle!” he joked, according to Hello! Magazine. Adding to his excitement, he joked, “I feel like someone needs to try this for real,” before praising the realistic experience. “I love that exhaust,” he said with a smile as he got off the bike.
For William, the motorcycle might bring back memories of his youth, but for Kate Middleton, it probably sparked a different emotion: worry. The Princess of Wales has long admitted that her husband’s love of motorcycles has always filled her with “horror.” Speaking candidly in 2015, Kate shared her concerns about William’s risky hobby. “He’s still riding it,” she said at the time. “It always fills me with horror when he comes out with that. I’m terrified. Hopefully I’ll keep George out of it.”
Kate’s fears about motorcycling appear to have influenced William’s decisions. In 2018, as a father of three, the Prince revealed that he had largely abandoned the hobby. “I am a father of three. “I have to tone it down,” he explained. However, there was a hint of nostalgia in his words as he admitted: “I miss the big trips. For me, riding a bike was always about being with everyone else.”
Despite leaving the adrenaline-filled adventures of motorcycling behind, William’s brief stint at the Virtual Production Studio brought a glimpse of his past back to life, if only for a moment. It’s clear that the Prince still has a deep affection for the activity, even as he balances his royal duties and family life.
For Kate, the stationary motorcycle could have been a safe commitment, keeping the Prince of Wales firmly grounded as he indulged his passion. But for fans, it was a glimpse into a side of William that’s adventurous, nostalgic, and maybe a little mischievous.