11 Photos of the Royal Family Enjoying the Great Outdoors Through the Years

The British royal family has long shared a love of the great outdoors.

From the sprawling grounds of Balmoral Castle in Scotland to the lush gardens of Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, generations of royals have found joy in spending time in nature — and many share the same passions.

Queen Elizabeth's lifelong love of horses has been passed down to her daughter, Princess Anne, while King Charles and Meghan Markle have both expressed their love of gardening. King Charles is also an avid fisherman, a pastime enjoyed by other members of the royal family.

"I love the countryside and being in touch with things," he previously told the Royal Horticultural Society. "I happily talk to the plants, the trees, and listen to them."

Whether horseback riding, tending to their gardens or enjoying a countryside stroll, the royals have made plenty of memories outside palace walls.

Here's a look at 11 photos of the royal family embracing the great outdoors through the years.

01 of 11

Kate Middleton's Mountain Mission

In June 2026, Kate Middleton secretly climbed Britain's three highest peaks as part of a campaign highlighting life after her cancer diagnosis.

Known as the National Three Peaks Challenge, the trek involves scaling Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales within 24 hours. The challenge spans 23 miles of hiking and more than 10,000 feet of elevation gain, per ThreePeaksChallenge.uk.

02 of 11

New Heights

On Mountain Rescue Awareness Day in October 2026, Kate shared a photo with Prince William and their three children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — from just moments after she completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in June 2026.

"We send our heartfelt thanks to all those who volunteer their time and expertise to keep people safe in some of our most beautiful but challenging landscapes," she captioned the image on Instagram.

03 of 11

A Royal Lesson in the Great Outdoors

William and Kate joined students at Madley Primary School in England for an outdoor lesson at their forest school in September 2023.

The royal couple helped the children prepare food for a campfire and strip bark from logs, while William also tried his hand at sawing logs for a tree den.

04 of 11

A Reel Passion for King Charles

King Charles first picked up a fishing rod at age 7 and has enjoyed the pastime ever since. In 1982, he was photographed fishing along the River Dee near Balmoral Castle in Scotland, accompanied by his dog, Harvey.

"There will always be the same joy, as long as stretches of river remain flowing through unspoilt countryside, of a day spent with a fly rod in perfect solitude ... proving that there is more to fishing than just catching fish," he once told the Flyfishers' Club of London, per the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

05 of 11

Meghan Markle Digs Gardening

Meghan has a green thumb, often sharing photos of her garden harvests on Instagram. Here, the Duchess of Sussex is pictured enjoying the outdoors with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

"It feels so good to be outside; it's grounding," she said in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan.

06 of 11

Queen Elizabeth's Reigning Passion

Queen Elizabeth's love of horseback riding began at a young age and continued throughout her life. Here, the late monarch is pictured riding on the grounds of Windsor Castle in 2006.

Her childhood riding instructor, Horace Smith, once recalled her dedication to the sport.

"She was very conscientious and anxious to improve her horsemanship. She was just as interested in the care of horses as she was in riding them, and asked me numerous questions about feeding, stable management and methods of training," he said, per The Independent. "She was always very fond of her ponies and never forgot to give carrots to her mount when the lesson was over."

07 of 11

At Home in the Highlands

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip enjoyed some time in the Scottish countryside while visiting a farm on the Balmoral estate in 1972. The royal residence was a beloved retreat for the couple, who spent their summers there enjoying the outdoors and time with family.

08 of 11

Farmyard Fun

Princess Anne's love of animals started during her childhood. Here, the young royal is pictured enjoying a playful moment with a calf on the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Scotland in 1957.

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Prince Harry Finds His Zen

Prince Harry tapped into his playful side in July 2026 when he tried goat yoga at Scotty's Summer Festival at Maxstoke Castle in England.

10 of 11

Gone Fishin'

Like his son, King Charles, Prince Philip enjoyed casting a line. Here, the Duke of Edinburgh is pictured fishing on the Balmoral estate alongside Queen Elizabeth in 1972.

11 of 11

Prince William Saddles Up

Highgrove House in Gloucestershire has long been another favorite royal retreat. In 1986, a young William was photographed riding a pony on the estate alongside his mother, Princess Diana, and younger brother, Prince Harry.

Read the original article on People