The wellness trend which has the social set all a-buzz: how beekeeping became the hobby beloved by the A-list and royals alike for its ‘meditative’ qualities

The wellness trend which has the social set all a-buzz: how beekeeping became the hobby beloved by the A-list and royals alike for its ‘meditative’ qualities

With Love, Meghan, Meghan Markle’s long awaited Netflix series, begins, not with the Duchess of Sussex herself, but rather with the peaceful imagery of a bee buzzing gently around a beach sunflower. This calm scene gives way to one of Meghan in her Montecito garden, learning about beekeeping with a local expert. ‘I’m trying to stay in the calm of it,’ she says. ‘It’s beautiful to be this connected.’

It’s clear that for Meghan, beekeeping isn’t just about honey, it’s about the presence that comes with doing something that ‘scares you a little’, the calm that the situation demands ('we have to talk in our bee voices,' she explains in a hushed tone) and the joy of being out in nature with other living creatures. And the duchess isn’t the only celebrity to wax lyrical about the pervading sense of calm, akin to meditation, that beekeeping offers them.

Meghan’s own sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, has previously spoken of her love of the activity and interest in the species. The Princess of Wales even shared an Instagram photo of herself working with the hives at Amner Hall to celebrate World Bee Day, while Queen Camilla is the president of Bees for Development, a charity that trains beekeepers and protects habitats in over 50 countries. She is said to be an avid beekeeper when at her country estate, Ray Mill House, in Wiltshire.

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James Middleton, the Princess of Wales’ younger brother, is also a convert since his sisters gifted him 1,000 Buckfast bees for his birthday, and David Beckham, whose passion for beekeeping was shown in his own Netflix documentary, has also previously discussed swapping tips on the hobby with King Charles himself. 'It was inspiring to hear from the King about the work of His Majesty's foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens - and compare beekeeping tips!' he told the BBC.
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And they aren't alone, beekeeping is a wellness trend on the rise, thanks to proven mental health benefits and the powerful antidote to the punishing pace of modern life that it offers. In fact, wellness experts are now dubbing beekeeping as the unexpected wellness trend of 2025. ‘Beekeeping is extremely beneficial for both physical and mental wellbeing, and there are many aspects of the activity that are similar to other meditative practices,’ wellness expert Amanda Strowbridge explains. ‘Tending to bees requires focus and patience, even the low hum of a happy hive of bees will enhance the feeling of being at one with the natural world.’

‘It is well known that bees pick up on human fear through the scent of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can make them agitated and more likely to sting,’ Strowbridge, who works with many of the wellness elite, says. 'So, to become an accomplished beekeeper one must learn to control one’s emotions so that hormones such as serotonin and oxytocin are activated. Serotonin promotes a feeling of peace and calm whilst oxytocin is the hormone of trust and bonding.'
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‘Beekeepers must move slowly and calmly when dealing with their hives to ensure the bees stay relaxed. There are many meditative practices that require slow focused movements, think yoga, tai chi etc., but with beekeeping you get the added joy of honey,’ she adds. ‘On a physical level the work in moving hives, walking and just being outside can improve strength and fitness. Plus, as well as honey, bees produce many other substances such as propolis and bee pollen which can improve the immune system.’

And if you don’t have beehives at home, don’t fear, for across the UK, many hotels are now opening up their own apiaries to offer discerning guests the opportunity to reap the wellness benefits of the activity for themselves, alongside their regular hot stone massage.

The then-Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, then-Duchess of Cornwall met with locals during a 2012 visit to Herm Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prestigious Coworth Park, for example, where Princes Harry and William have often played polo, now offers a beekeeping experience, while other wellness-focused properties, such as The Retreat at Elcot Park, are working toward opening up their beehives to guests to partake in the activity as interest in doing so grows.

The Langley in Buckinghamshire, once the former hunting grounds of the third Duke of Marlborough, has also just added an apiary to their 150 acres of formal gardens and parklands originally designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and installed an in-house (or in-hive, rather!) resident beekeeper to help guests suit up and get hands-on with the bees. ‘The apiary embodies the same ethos of mindful luxury and respect for nature that defines the entire experience here,’ Antonio Mammi, the hotel’s Commercial Director explains. ‘It’s a place of enrichment - where you go to reset, revive and restore.’

Meghan Markle, pictured beekeeping in her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan COURTESY OF NETFLIX

‘Spending time in nature is proven to have a calming effect on the mind, reducing stress and improving overall mental health. Beekeeping encourages mindfulness, as you must be present and focused while working with the bees,’ he continues. ‘The rhythmic nature of working with bees (like managing hives and observing their behaviour) can also be meditative and therapeutic. It allows you to disconnect from daily stressors and immerse yourself in the peaceful task of beekeeping.’
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Mammi chalks the buzz around beekeeping up to several factors reflecting broader societal trends and growing environmental awareness. ‘As concerns about biodiversity and the decline of pollinators like bees grow, more individuals are eager to connect with nature in meaningful ways,' he says. 'In addition, there's a growing desire for mindful and educational travel, with many seeking experiences that are both enriching and recreational. Apitourism, or bee tourism, is an emerging form of travel; it’s an immersive, hands-on learning experience about honey production, the life cycle of bees, and their essential role in pollination. This ties into the increasing popularity of wellness tourism, as beekeeping allows participants to unplug and reconnect with nature in a tranquil, therapeutic setting.'

So, whether you're a royal or simply seeking a slice of serene solitude, the message is clear: the rising love of beekeeping is more than just a passing fad. It’s a gentle hum, a quiet revolution, a reminder that in our frantic world, true luxury lies in finding harmony with nature, one honey-sweetened moment at a time. And as the bees themselves know, sometimes, the sweetest rewards come from simply slowing down and letting the calm take over.

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