5 secret royal swimming pools you may not know exist
Whenever the sun shines in the UK, thoughts turn to swimming as heatwave temperatures make us want to dive into the nearest body of water.
Royalty may not have the luxury of running down to the nearest beach, but they do make up for it in their spectacular royal homes - many of which boast their own private swimming pools.
From King Charles' historic indoor pool at Buckingham Palace to the amazing outdoor pool at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Montecito home, get the lowdown on the enviable royal swimming pools you may never have even known existed…
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's outdoor pool in Montecito
An outdoor swimming pool is one of many highlights at Prince Harry and Meghan's family home in Montecito, Santa Barbara. Previous listing photos taken before the family moved into the property in 2020 showed the pool lined with sun loungers, parasols and secluded by hedges.
It leads up to their home via a set of stone stairs and would be a great spot for Harry and Meghan to swim and splash about with their children Archie and Lilibet.
The pool even featured briefly in Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries, take a look...
King Charles' private pool at Buckingham Palace
The monarch has a private indoor swimming pool at Buckingham Palace, which has long been a favourite spot for the entire royal family. It was originally commissioned by King George VI in 1938, who wanted to ensure the privacy of his daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, who had been having swimming lessons at the Bath Club.
Sophie Winkleman, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor and star of noughties sitcom Peep Show, confirmed the Buckingham Palace pool was very much still in use when she told Tatler that the late Queen Elizabeth II insisted she use the pool to recover from a car accident injury.
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After admitting to the late Queen her physiotherapy wasn't working, the monarch replied: "We can’t have that. You have to go in the water."
Sophie continued: "She told us that when horses had broken backs, they swam, and so she let me use her pool at Buckingham Palace. That’s the reason I got better. It was so typically thoughtful."
Although the pool is often used by senior royals including Prince William and Kate, it can also be used by members of the Staff Sports Club, provided it doesn't clash with one of the royals' swims.
Prince William and Kate's family swimming pool at Anmer Hall
The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly have a swimming pool at their country retreat, Anmer Hallon the Sandringham Estate. The facility is ideal for the family to swim with their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – when they visit at weekends and in the holidays.
They are also reportedly frequent visitors to the swimming pool at Buckingham Palace when they are in London, and it is where the children had swimming lessons when they were younger.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's swimming pool at Royal Lodge
Royal Lodge Windsor has been the official home of Prince Andrew since 2004, and he has spent a reported £ 7.5 million on renovating the property, with an indoor swimming pool among the additions he has reportedly made to the home.
While the pool is yet to be seen, it is no doubt a hit with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who could take their children Sienna, August and Ernest to swim in the family pool.
King Charles and Queen Camilla's beautiful outdoor pool at Highgrove House
The monarch and his wife Queen Camilla have an outdoor swimming pool of their own to enjoy during their visits to their country home, Highgrove House.
Beautifully positioned within the garden of the house, previous photos from when Prince William and Harry were young showed it lined with a white picket fence and colourful flowerbeds.
