Duke invites you to join him on a stroll in the country as a way of boosting wellbeing
‘Walking is an opportunity to gain some perspective. It’s a key part of how I manage my mental health’
THE Duke of Cambridge has made an “audio walking experience” to encourage people to get outdoors, as Apple donates tens of thousands of pounds to life-saving charities in return.
The Duke will take people on a stroll through Norfolk for a 28-minute special episode of the company’s Time to Walk
series – which is similar to a podcast – in which he takes part in a 21st-century Desert Island Discs.
Following in the footsteps of Stephen Fry, Dolly Parton, supermodel Naomi Campbell, actress Cynthia Erivo and boxer Anthony Joshua, he has recorded himself chatting to listeners as he walks through the countryside.
Designed to encourage people into the habit of exercise, the Apple Fitness+ “experience” tracks each walk through stories, photographs and songs popping up on a user’s Apple Watch.
Announcing the episode, the Duke said: “Walking has been a feature of my life during the good times and the bad, come rain or shine.
“For me, it provides an opportunity to clear my mind and gain some perspective. It’s a key part of how I manage my mental health.
“It can be a very sociable exercise or a moment of complete calm and isolation. In the hope of inspiring a few other people to get active and take time for their own mental health, I wanted to share a few of my stories and favourite songs with you in an episode of Time to Walk.”
Kensington Palace said his decision was based on “recognising... that the Christmas period can be challenging for many [for mental health]”. Apple has agreed to donate a five-figure sum to each of three charities: Shout in the UK, Crisis Text Line in the US and Lifeline in Australia. All offer crisis support via text or phone calls. Lifeline is also a suicide prevention service and promises that no one “has to face their darkest moments alone”.
The Duke, who worked as an air ambulance pilot and was the co-founder of Heads Together, a mental health initiative, with his wife and brother, has spoken regularly about the importance of mental health. He believes the simple remedies of walking and talking can help boost people’s mood, providing a release from bottling up problems.
The Duke will take listeners on a walk through the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, from Sandringham House, past St Mary Magdalene Church, and ending eventually in the Cambridges’ home at Anmer.
A spokesman said: “During the episode, the Duke talks about the importance of keeping mentally fit, reflects on a light-hearted moment when he was drawn out of his comfort zone, an experience that led him to prioritise mental health.”
The Duke will also choose three of his favourite songs, and the emotional reasons behind them, to share.
The special Christmas episode of Time to Walk will air on Apple Fitness+ on Monday.