On World Bee Day, it’s the perfect moment to highlight a deeply personal and long-standing passion of Catherine, Princess of Wales: beekeeping and honey production.
For well over a decade, beekeeping has been a cherished family tradition for the Middletons, rooted in sustainability, mindfulness, and a profound connection to nature.
The Middleton Family’s Beekeeping Journey Began in 2011
The story officially started in 2011 when Michael and Carole Middleton, together with their daughters Catherine and Pippa, gifted James Middleton a nucleus colony of around 1,000 Buckfast bees for his 24th birthday, complete with hive and full equipment.
James has kept hives at the family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire, ever since — now approaching 15 years. Catherine played an active role in choosing and presenting the gift, showing her enthusiasm from the very beginning.
A Private Passion Long Before It Became Public
Throughout the 2010s, beekeeping remained a quiet family pursuit centred on environmental care, mental wellbeing, and quality time in nature.
Catherine was hands-on during this period and had already been tending bees privately for many years before the public learned of her hobby.
Anmer Hall: The Princess’s Own Apiary
By 2020–2021, Catherine had established her own hives at Anmer Hall, the Wales family’s country home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
In June 2021, she first shared her honey publicly when she gave jars to schoolchildren at the Natural History Museum, confirming that it came from her own beehives — the moment the world discovered she was a dedicated beekeeper.
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Continued Commitment and Public Advocacy
Since then, the Princess has openly embraced the role, releasing photos and videos of herself in full beekeeping suit while inspecting and caring for her colonies, especially around World Bee Day.
Prince William has joked about her expertise, saying: “Catherine’s got her own bees — she knows a lot about bees.”
She still harvests, jars, and labels her honey by hand, sharing it as personal gifts and during official engagements. Catherine and her brother James regularly exchange tips and updates about their respective hives.
A Royal Tradition Across Generations
Beekeeping runs in both families: King Charles III has produced honey at Highgrove for decades. For Catherine, however, it is far more than protocol — it is a genuine, long-term personal commitment to sustainability and wellbeing.
Why This Matters on World Bee Day
By sharing her authentic, hands-on experience, the Princess of Wales draws positive attention to pollinator conservation and the vital role bees play in our ecosystem.
Her story proves that meaningful environmental action can begin in one’s own garden — sometimes with just a single hive.
From a thoughtful family gift in 2011 to a thriving private apiary at Anmer Hall today, Catherine’s beekeeping journey is a quiet yet powerful example of dedication, patience, and care for the natural world.
Happy World Bee Day.
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