Prince William revisits hobby he 'toned down' years ago as Kate Middleton said 'it fills me with horror'

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND: Prince William took a nostalgic ride down memory lane as he hopped on a motorcycle during his visit to Northern Ireland on Thursday, November 14.

Motorcycles were once a favorite pastime of William's, but it apparently became a source of anxiety for his wife, Kate Middleton, as shared by her in 2015. 

Prince William's nostalgic return to his love for motorcycles

During a stop at Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus, the 42-year-old royal took a virtual motorcycle ride through what appeared to be the Arizona desert.

"Any excuse to get on a motorbike!" William exclaimed as he eagerly climbed onto the motorcycle at the university's Virtual Production Studio, according to Hello! Magazine.

Demonstrating his enthusiasm, he inquired if the motorcycle could be moved from its stationary position, saying, "I feel like someone needs to take this for a real spin." 

Upon completing the ride, he added, "I love that exhaust," and praised the immersive technology, calling the experience "incredibly realistic."

Kate Middleton wants to keep Prince George 'off' Prince William's hobby

In 2015, Kate Middleton reportedly confessed during a visit to Dundee, Scotland, that her husband's motorcycle rides filled her with dread.

She shared, "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 of it," referencing their eldest son, Prince George, who was nearly two years old at the time.

By 2018, William had largely stepped away from motorbiking, citing his growing responsibilities as a father of three.

"I’m a dad of three. I have to tone it down," he said during a visit to the Isle of Man, referring to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and their youngest, Prince Louis. "I miss the big trips. For me, biking was always about being with everybody else."

Prince William records adorable video for Ulster University student's friend

At Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus, Prince William charmed students with his approachable demeanor. He also recorded an adorable video for a student’s friend who couldn’t make it to the event. 

"Leslie, I’m very sorry we’re late but they seem to be caught up and they wouldn't believe it," he said into the phone after confirming it was recording.

The video shared with the caption, "POV — Prince William gives you the best excuse for being late," quickly went viral. 

Prince William's one-day visit to Northern Ireland

Prince William’s Northern Ireland visit was originally scheduled for May but was delayed due to the UK general election.

The one-day trip included two significant stops. The first was to The Foyer, a temporary housing and support service for young people experiencing homelessness.

The initiative is part of William’s Homewards project, which aims to eliminate homelessness across the UK.

Next, the Prince of Wales visited Ulster University's Belfast City Campus to spotlight its contributions to Northern Ireland’s booming creative industries. These industries reportedly contribute over $1.7 billion annually to the region’s economy and employ more than 24,000 people.

William also learned about Studio Ulster, a $91 million studio complex set to open in Belfast by 2025, which aims to further bolster the region’s creative sector.