Kate Middleton Outshines King Charles When It Comes to One Hobby
King Charles Can't Compete With Kate In One Specific Thing
The Princess of Wales is known to be obsessed with "grandma hobbies", and they are not limited to sewing. She has also picked up knitting and has previously joked about trying to knit Prince George a jumper. She enjoys making jams and chutneys, coloring, playing card games, and collecting antiques as well. Kate is also known for a healthy bond with her father-in-law, King Charles. A lot like her, King Charles also likes knitting, and left people amused by confessing that he has to compete with his daughter-in-law when they're knitting.
'Might Pick It Back Up'
Olympian Tom Daly, who is also a knitting expert, shared a light-hearted moment with King Charles III during a massive garden party in the US. King Charles then joked about Daly's passion while discussing the hobby. The Olympian mentioned, “He [KCIII] said he used to knit when he was 8 years old. He said he wasn’t very good at it, but said he knew it was very good for mental health and maybe should give it another go."
Kate's Struggles
Back in 2022, the Princess of Wales confessed to being "terrible" at the specific hobby while attending a rugby match in her role as Patron of the Rugby Football League. "I tried knitting once, and I was terrible at it, so I'll have to come for lessons", she told volunteer Susan Hill. On another occasion, while on a trip to Glasgow, Kate was overheard telling a group of women that she had tried knitting a jumper for Prince George but failed on her first attempt. "I've been trying to knit, and I'm really bad. I should be asking for tips. I tried knitting when I first had George," she said, before adding, "I tried to knit him a very special jumper, but I got halfway down, and it splattered. It's such an amazing skill."
Expert Environmentalists
The Princess of Wales and King Charles III are also passionate beekeepers committed to environmental sustainability and biodiversity. Kate keeps bees at Anmer Hall, describing it as a meditative hobby, and has also shared the organic honey with children at the Natural History Museum. King Charles maintains hives at Highgrove, Sandringham, and Buckingham Palace, where his organic garden supports around 30 beehives. Their shared interest in beekeeping underscores their dedication to pollinator health and environmental advocacy.
A Skilled Painter
For almost fifty years, King Charles III has been an artist, mostly using watercolors to paint natural landscapes. Inspired by his painting instructor at Gordonstoun School, his pieces have sold for more than $2 million and have garnered considerable recognition. His paintings were initially displayed at Windsor Castle in 1977 among pieces by Queen Victoria and the Duke of Edinburgh. He is an honorary member of the Royal Academy and the Royal Watercolour Society.
A Shared Passion
Kate recently shared her fascination for foraging in the woods near her home in Anmer Hall. Other royal foraging enthusiasts include Queen Camilla and King Charles, who have a shared interest in the activity, noted in Tom Parker Bowles' new cookbook, 'Cooking & The Crown.' Parker Bowles noted in his book that the King and the Queen are "deeply competitive about their hauls" and that mushrooms are "somewhat of an obsession" for the couple.