Kate Middleton Regularly Uses the Pool at Buckingham Palace (2024)

Earlier this week, Kate Middleton surprised tourists when she unexpectedly showed up in her car, behind the wheel, driving into Buckingham Palace grounds. Her cameo was quick and there's barely evidence of her appearance—one Instagram user, @melissagrflx, posted a short video of Kate's cameo—but she sent fans into a frenzy nonetheless.

But what was the reason for the duch*ess of Cambridge's visit? Was there a private engagement we didn't know about? Was she just meeting the Queen for some one-on-one in-law bonding time? Or, as a couple of royal experts pointed out, was she simply stopping by to use the pool?

The reason for Kate's impromptu visit still remains unknown. However, she does, in fact, use the pool at Buckingham Palace from time to time.

“There is a large indoor pool at Buckingham Palace where all of the royal children, including Princes William and Harry, have learned to swim. It’s become somewhat of a tradition and it’s where George, Charlotte, and now Louis, have also first taken to water," an insider told BAZAAR.com.

"It’s rather no frills but it’s a safe, private spot and many of the adult family members — and even senior members of staff — like to go there too," the source added. "Kate regularly visits the palace, with and without the children, for this very reason."

The swimming pool, although an important part of the royal family's history, is one of Buckingham Palace's more private features. There are barely any public details about the amenity, and photos of its interior have not been shared publicly.

However, Kate has been seen driving to the palace, reportedly for a swim, in the past. In 2015, when she was pregnant with Princess Charlotte, she was seen in her Range Rover en route for a dip, according to The Telegraph.