Six times the Royal Family has made motorcycling headlines

1. The Queen can ride!
Back when Queen Elizabeth was Princess Elizabeth she joined a Military Training Scheme during the Second World War, like many young women of the time. And it was there where she learnt to ride a motorcycle. Pictured here riding a 250cc BSA C10 machine, she’s navigating her way through a practice slalom course and even looking where she wants to go! Happy Birthday, Betty!

2, Keen Prince Phillip
It’s no secret that Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Phillip is a mad keen lover of motorcycles. A frequent Isle of Man goer and a long-time rider, the likeable Prince celebrated his 85th birthday in 2005 at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. But, instead of being chaperoned around, he chose to zoom around the event on an Easy Rider mini bike. It looks to us like a Honda Dax 70 copy. Well played, Sir.

3: Charles hates motorcycles
It’s clear his parent’s history of motorcycling didn’t rub off on Prince Charles and he’s the first to admit it. “I hate them,” he was heard saying in 2010. “My sons are interested in them. I can never get my balance on them.” Probably a good thing you don’t like them then, Chuck.

4: Will’s first love
Prince William is often spotted travelling to and from events on motorcycles. In the early days it was a Triumph Daytona 600 and these days it’s on top-line Ducati superbikes. His black 1198S was a long-standing favourite though, since it reports that mice gnawed through the bike’s electrical system in his garage, he has been spotted on more modern Ducati Panigale models.

5: “It always fills me with horror!”
When Prince William was spotted on a late-night ride on the eve of his wedding, many assumed it may well be the Prince’s two-wheeled farewell tour as married life forced his motorcycle into stor-age. But it turns out Kate’s more willing to compromise than she was given credit for. Last year, when reporters asked her if William was still riding motorcycles, she replied: “He’s still riding it. It always fills me with horror when he goes out on it — I’m terrified. But hopefully I’m going to keep George off it,” she conceded.

6: Harry, too!
Will’s younger brother Prince Harry also loves, rides and owns bikes. Like his brother, he’s been spotted on British and Italian machinery; a Triumph 675 as well as Ducati’s middleweight 848 sportsbike. Probably the most publicised motorcycling event the pair participated in was the 2008 charity ride in South Africa. On Honda CRF230L dirtbikes, the pair rode 16,000km through South Africa to raise a reported £500,000 for children’s charities in Africa. Something very close to the boys’, and their late mother’s, hearts.