King Charles III speaks to Olympians. Paul Grover-WPA Pool/Getty Images
King Charles III is following a seriously impressive workout routine amid his ongoing battle with cancer.
The British monarch, 75, followed up his recent trip to Australia and Samoa by hosting a celebratory reception for U.K. Olympic and Paralympic athletes at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, November 7, during which he dished on what exercises he does to stay in shape in his seventh decade of life.
According to The Telegraph, Charles told athletes that he “exercises twice a day,” noting to sprinter Desirèe Henry that he does “squats and does the pull-up bar.” Per the outlet, Charles has been known to follow “Royal Navy-style exercises” which he learned during his past military service.
British diver Jack Laugher told the outlet that Charles was “so animated and interested” during Thursday’s event and was “really interested in our sports facilities and training program,” adding: “This was the most successful Games for diving, especially for the women.” (Team Great Britain brought home five diving medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics earlier this year, two of which were from women’s events.)
King Charles III will continue to go on regular trips abroad amid his ongoing cancer battle. “We’re now working on a pretty normal-looking full overseas tour program for next year, which is a high point for us, knowing that we can think in those terms,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Hello! […]
Charles was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer back in February after undergoing a prostate procedure one week prior. He returned to public-facing royal duties in April, later sharing during an August appearance in Southport, England, that he’s doing “not too bad,” per Express.
Last month, The Daily Mail reported that Charles had switched up his diet for a healthier one amid his health struggles. It was also reported that Charles put his cancer treatment on pause ahead of his Australia and Samoa and would resume treatment upon his return to the U.K.
Though Charles was joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, for his recent trip Down Under, she did not join him at Thursday’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes’ reception due to a chest infection. Instead, Charles greeted medalists alongside his sister, Princess Anne and Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester.
King Charles III Jordan Pettitt – WPA Pool/Getty Image
“Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson shared in a November 5 statement to the BBC. “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.”
Camilla’s health also forced her to skip the royal family’s Remembrance Day appearances on Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10. Princess Kate Middleton, however, did step out for this year’s Remembrance Day festivities, marking one of her first royal events since announcing in September that she completed chemotherapy for her own cancer diagnosis.
Several British royals have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer since the start of their family’s reign. Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that King Charles III received a cancer diagnosis one week after he was admitted to The London Clinic to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate. “During The King’s recent hospital procedure […]
Reflecting on both his father and his wife’s respective cancer battles, Prince William called 2024 “the hardest year in my life” while speaking to reporters in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday, November 8. “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
He went on to praise the pair’s strength, stating, “I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. … It’s been brutal.”
