King Charles reveals his own exercise regime as he hosts reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Surrounded by Olympians who are no strangers to gruelling training sessions, King Charles might have been reluctant to reveal his own exercise regime.

But a week before his 76th birthday he happily revealed his fitness secrets – an 11-minute workout. 

The King told the Team GB women’s athletics team that he ‘exercises twice a day’, revealing to sprinter Desiree Henry that he ‘squats and does the pull-up bar’.

Charles, who was hosting a reception for Olympic and Paralympic medal winners at Buckingham Palace yesterday, is known to follow the same Canadian Air Force exercise regime as his late father. 

Known as the 5BX, it only takes 11 minutes. His Majesty was in high spirits at the reception, where he was accompanied by Princess Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester while Queen Camilla rested at home with a chest infection. 

Guests were served champagne and canapes, but the monarch did not touch a drop.

King Charles was pictured beaming as he greeted athletes who’d won medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Princess Anne (pictured) attended the reception at Buckingham Palace in place of Queen Camilla, who is ill

The King also revealed he looked forward to watching Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, compete on Dancing On Ice next year.

He also inspected a guide dog, joking how he hoped the animal had not ‘ruined too much furniture’.

Queen Camilla was supposed to be attending the engagement, but is currently taking time off, as she recovers from a chest infection.

Athletes who scooped gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Games were invited to the special event.

And it appeared that everyone was having a good time, with photos showing the royals smiling at they chatted with the sportspeople. 

The King looked dapper in a navy pinstripe suit, with a single-breasted blazer, white shirt, and pale purple tie. He also pinned a poppy to his lapel.

Meanwhile, the Princess Royal looked stylish in a burgundy coat dress, with a cinched in waist, which feel to just below her knees.

She accessorised with a velvet scarf, black gloves, and low-heeled black pumps. She too wore a poppy pinned to her dress.

The reception was not the only engagement Camilla had to avoid due to her current chest infection.

It was announced several days ago that Her Majesty had to reluctantly withdraw from the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance, as well as the reception, due to illness.

It’s understood that the 77-year-old is recovering at home in Wiltshire and is being monitored by doctors.

King Charles and Princess Anne attend a reception for medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

King Charles is pictured chatting with guests at the event at Buckingham Palace today

The King looked dapper in a navy pinstripe suit, with a single-breasted blazer, white shirt, and pale purple tie 

King Charles shakes hands with Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability

Princess Royal looked stylish in a burgundy coat dress, as she filled in for Camilla 

King Charles beams as he speaks to medallists at Buckingham Palace 

Camilla not attending the Field of Remembrance event was seen as a sign of how poorly she is feeling, as the engagement is a duty she takes extremely diligently, as the daughter of decorated war hero Major Bruce Shand, who earned two military crosses in the Second World War for his bravery. 

Instead, the Duchess of Gloucester stepped in to take her place earlier today. 

An update issued by the Palace yesterday revealed that the Queen is expected to return to work as soon as next week.

Camilla will host a reception for authors shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize at Clarence House after taking some time out while under the weather.

Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday that the Queen, who has just completed a mammoth tour of Australia and Samoa with King Charles, was cancelling her forthcoming engagements due to a chest infection.

However, the known bookworm and literature lover is set to return to her duties next Tuesday to host the reception – after news of her condition caused concern among royal fans.  

King Charles speaks with Dame Sarah Storey, a British cyclist and swimmer 

Athletes who scooped gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Games were invited to the special event

The update comes after a year of health troubles for the Royal Family, with both the King and the Princess of Wales being diagnosed with cancer.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest.

‘With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal.

‘She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.’

Camilla also hopes she will also be well enough to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events, including the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Sunday.