Kate Middleton reportedly expressed her disappointment when Prince William was seen riding an electric scooter without a helmet, highlighting the ongoing pressures and concerns within the royal family. The Prince of Wales, who has been increasingly busy with royal duties amid his father King Charles' and his wife's cancer diagnoses, was spotted last week zipping around Windsor Castle on his scooter, which prompted a stern reaction from the Princess of Wales.
"William is so busy—he's exhausted all the time with everything he's got on his plate, so whizzing around on a scooter with no helmet is tempting fate," an insider told Closer. The source emphasized the potential dangers of such an action, noting that a fall could lead to serious injury. "The last thing anyone needs right now is for him to end up in the hospital. They have enough to deal with as it is," the insider added.
Kate Middleton, a mother of three, was particularly worried about the risks involved. While she typically refrains from nagging, she was reportedly upset upon learning that William had neglected to wear his helmet. "Kate was not pleased to find out he had neglected to wear his helmet and now she's stressing about the worst-case scenario and demanding he always wears a helmet," the insider continued.
Despite her concerns, Prince William assured his wife that the scooter did not reach high speeds, and therefore, he believed there was minimal risk. "William has reassured Kate that the scooter hardly gets going at any sort of speed, as far as he's concerned there's zero reason to worry. Kate was pretty disappointed that he'd be so reckless but trusts him to be more careful in the future," the source said.
The use of the electric scooter is a matter of convenience for Prince William, who uses it to efficiently move around Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle amid his packed schedule. The scooter helps him manage his time more effectively, allowing him to quickly visit his father and attend to his duties without unnecessary delays.
Prince William has previously expressed his love for riding motorbikes, a hobby he has had to scale back due to his growing family responsibilities. In a 2018 interview, he shared, "I'm a dad of three. I have to tone it down. I miss the big trips, for me biking was always about being with everybody else."
Kate Middleton is well aware of her husband's passion for motorbikes and has voiced her concerns about the dangers associated with the hobby. She once remarked, "He's still riding it. It always fills me with horror when he goes out on it. I'm terrified. Hopefully, I'm going to keep George off it," referring to their eldest son, Prince George.
The royal family's busy schedule and the pressures they face have been further complicated by the health challenges of King Charles and Kate Middleton. As Prince William steps up to fulfill his increasing responsibilities, safety remains a paramount concern for Kate, who wants to ensure that her husband remains healthy and capable of performing his duties.
Entertainment Times noted that they could not independently verify the claim of Kate's reaction. Nonetheless, the incident underscores the balance the royals must strike between their personal passions and their public responsibilities.