During his visit to Northern Ireland on November 14, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, had a chance to revisit a hobby he had given up years ago: riding motorbikes. While touring the Virtual Production Studio at Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus, William took a spin on a virtual motorbike, navigating a realistic simulation of the Arizona desert.
“Any excuse to get on a motorbike!” William remarked with enthusiasm, after hopping onto the bike. He joked, “I feel like someone needs to take this for a real spin,” before getting off and admiring the virtual experience, calling it “incredibly realistic” and even complimenting the motorbike’s exhaust.
Motorbikes had once been a great passion for the Prince, but in 2015, Kate Middleton expressed her concerns about his safety. She admitted that the sight of him riding filled her with “horror” and shared her hopes of keeping their eldest son, Prince George, away from bikes as well. By 2018, during a visit to the Isle of Man, William confirmed that he had put the hobby behind him, citing his growing family and the need to “tone it down” as a father of three.
Prince William’s Northern Ireland trip, originally set for May but postponed due to the U.K. general election, included a stop at The Foyer, a service providing support for young people experiencing homelessness. This visit was part of his Homewards initiative, which focuses on tackling homelessness across the U.K.
The Prince’s visit also highlighted Northern Ireland’s burgeoning creative industry. At Ulster University, William learned about the region’s growing impact on the sector, with creative industries contributing over $1.7 billion to the economy and employing more than 24,000 people. He also toured the site of Studio Ulster, a new $91 million studio complex set to open in 2025.
In a lighthearted moment during his visit, William recorded a video message for a student named Leslie, who had missed the event. With a smile, he said, “Leslie, I’m very sorry we’re late,” and added, “POV — Prince William gives you the best excuse for being late.”
This visit to Northern Ireland allowed Prince William to engage with his passion for creativity and innovation while also adding a touch of personal nostalgia with his brief return to the motorbike. It’s clear that, while his priorities have changed with family life, moments like these continue to remind him of his personal joys.
