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Royal Family Celebrates Arthur Middleton’s 7th Birthday with a splash: The Benefits of Early Swimming
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The Middleton family marked a special occasion this week as Arthur Middleton, nephew to the Princess of Wales, turned seven on October 15th. Beyond the celebrations, the spotlight is on the young royal’s early introduction to swimming – a hobby championed by his mother, Pippa Middleton, and embraced by the entire family, including Prince William and Kate.
A Royal Start in the Water
Pippa Middleton, 40, first shared her experience introducing her son to swimming at just four months old. Writing for Waitrose magazine in 2019,the cookbook author explained,”Starting my son Arthur swimming at four months old has given him confidence and enjoyment in water.” She noted that by six months, swimming had become a favorite activity, contributing to better sleep and improved digestion.
This early immersion in aquatic activity isn’t limited to the Middleton household. The benefits of early swimming are widely recognized, and the practice aligns with a broader royal initiative focused on water safety.
The Royal Foundation’s Commitment to Water Safety
In September 2025, the Royal Foundation, spearheaded by Prince William and Kate, will team up with British Olympic swimmer Tom Dean’s swimming school to launch learn-to-swim classes. These classes will initially be offered to over 200 children in underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to ensuring all children have access to vital water safety skills.
Prince William’s personal passion for swimming extends beyond advocacy.Having been a keen water polo player in his youth,he now actively encourages his own children – Prince George,Princess Charlotte,and Prince Louis – to embrace the water.
From Pool to Scuba: A Prince’s aquatic Adventures
During a meeting with Olympic champions Adam Peaty and Tom Dean in 2024, Prince William revealed that his eldest son, 11-year-old Prince George, has taken a particular liking to scuba diving. “George loves scuba diving,” William shared. “We took him under, thinking he would freak out. He absolutely loves it. It’s just introducing him to the world of water.”
This enthusiasm underscores the family’s belief in the positive impact of aquatic experiences. But what makes starting swimming so early so beneficial?
expert Insight: The Developmental advantages of Early Swimming
According to award-winning HCPC-registered senior educational and child psychologist dr. Sasha Hall, early shared experiences like swimming offer meaningful developmental advantages. “I would say that early shared experiences like swimming together can be developmentally rich in several ways [starting with] security and confidence in a new sensory habitat,” she explains. “Warm water,gentle movement and consistent physical support from a caregiver help babies feel safe while encountering new sights,sounds and sensations.”
This sense of security fosters trust and curiosity, building a foundation for future confidence. Furthermore, swimming provides dedicated one-on-one time between parent and child, strengthening the parent-child bond and promoting emotional well-being.
The benefits extend beyond emotional development.Dr. Hall notes that swimming encourages attention and responsiveness to guidance,while the changing sensations of water promote adaptability and the development of crucial executive functions.
Swimming also offers opportunities for social development. “If they swim with others, they can practice turn-taking and discover they can float or kick, building a sense of competence and self-efficacy,” Dr. Hall adds.
Ultimately, research suggests that early, safe, and playful swimming experiences can nurture a child’s motor and cognitive growth, emotional confidence, and caregiver bond – a testament to the power of everyday interactions
