Nothing embodies the quintessential dad era quite like practical solutions with a touch of whimsy. Prince William, the next in line to the British throne, has recently showcased his full embrace of this phase. A viral TikTok video captured him zipping around Windsor Castle on an electric scooter, steering past a castle watchman, under a large archway, and out of sight.
Dad hacks are known for their efficiency, lack of glamour, and nostalgic charm, and William’s scooter checks all these boxes. It’s particularly amusing to see him opt for a safer mode of transport over his long-time passion for motorcycles. The Prince of Wales reportedly bought the scooter in 2023 to facilitate his commute from the castle to Adelaide Cottage, where Kate Middleton and their children reside. An insider told The Sun that the scooter makes it easy for William to visit King Charles whenever needed: “It just makes sense. He whizzes up to the castle when he needs to see the King.”
Prince William’s love for motorbikes and crash helmets began when he was very young, largely because it allowed him to stay incognito and avoid public attention. This hobby continued well into his adulthood and royal duties. After passing his driver’s test at age 19, he biked around South Africa for charity in 2008 and often visited bike factories and competitions as part of his royal engagements. This passion greatly worried Kate Middleton and the rest of the royal family, but William persisted until 2017.
Speaking about his decision to give up the beloved pastime, he cited his family as the reason: “I’m a father of three, I have to tone it down,” he said. Just two years earlier, Kate Middleton had expressed her concerns about motorbike riding, calling it a dangerous hobby she didn’t want their son George to pick up from his father.
William’s recent choice to use a scooter instead of a bike is a sweet reminder that his priorities remain with his children and Kate. The crown prince has now been humorously dubbed “Prince of Wheels,” but any serious criticism of William’s scooter use is entirely misplaced. Off you go, Your Highness.
Source: Wpa Pool/Getty Images, Max Mumby/indigo/Getty Images
