When we think of royals, it’s not often that we associate them with being athletic pin-ups.
But it turns out, away from the ribbon cutting and official schmoozing, many of our favourite royals are secret gym junkies with killer bodies.
Most recently, the world lost its collective mind when Prince William rolled up his sleeve to receive his COVID jab. And it wasn’t the act of the inoculation that set tongues wagging. Oh no. It was Wills’ unexpected bulging bicep hiding under his jumper that sent twitter into overdrive.
Who knew the future King of England had such impressive guns?
“Leadership by example! Good job #PrinceWilliam 👏🏼👏🏼Can you share your workout routine? Those Cambridge guns are🔥🔥🔥,” one person quipped.
“Congratulations Your Buffness… I mean, Your Highness,” another joked.
“Feeling our land is well protected with those guns,” a third mused.
A few weeks later, William’s wife the Duchess of Cambridge followed suit and shared a snap from her COVID vaccination. Dressed down in a white T-shirt and a pair of denim jeans, Kate’s perfectly toned arm caused a wave of headlines once again.
And they’re not the only ripped royals on the scene!
From Princess Diana’s supermodel-worthy bikini body to Princess Mary’s enviable pins, keep scrolling as we take a roll call of the most ripped royals.
Step aside, Prince William! When Kensington Palace released this photo of Duchess Catherine receiving her COVID-19 vaccination in May, royal watchers couldn’t help but notice Kate’s incredibly toned arms.
It’s not the first time Kate’s shown off her sculpted assets. In 2011 when the Duchess of Cambridge attended a military awards show in London her strapless black gown perfectly showcased her guns.
So, what’s the mother-of-three’s secret? Catherine reportedly takes arm weights with her to hold while she’s out running. Genius!
Kate’s trim and toned arms had us seeing red when she attended an official reception dinner during the royal tour of Canada in 2016.
Nothing like a nude pump to accentuate one’s legs! Duchess Catherine’s perfect pins almost stole the show when she stepped out to launch the Royal Foundation Centre For Early Childhood in London this month.
Your Royal Buffness: In May, this photo of Prince William (and that bicep) sent fans into a right royal meltdown with many flocking to Twitter to collectively swoon over Wills’ secretly ripped physique.
“Feeling our land is well protected with those guns 😏🙌🏻🇬🇧 #Respectfully,” one user joked.
Of course, Prince William‘s no stranger to keeping fit. The 39-year-old, pictured during a water polo match in 2004, has a huge passion for playing sport and it’s clearly keeping him in great shape.
A royal knockout: The late Princess Diana looked sensational in a brightly-coloured patterned bikini during a holiday to Majorca, Spain in 1988.
According to Princess Diana’s former personal trainer Jenni Rivett, the mother of two, pictured in a orange bikini during a Caribbean holiday in 1993, was a fan of the 90s trend step aerobics, mixed with cardio and vigorous walks around Kensington Palace.
Who knew Prince Charles was such an action man? That’s right, during his youth the 72-year-old, pictured windsurfing 1969, was an unlikely pin-up boy.
The polo-playing prince had quite a toned physique during the 70s.
A lover of the great outdoors, Prince Charles was as fit as a fiddle.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Crown Princess Mary’s show-stopping biceps.
Meanwhile, the Danish Royal’s svelte legs deserve their own crown. It’s believed that as well as embracing a strict exercise routine, Mary is a big fan of the keto diet – the weight-loss regimen spruiked by stars including Kim Kardashian.
“Mary is totally committed to being in the best shape possible. She’s always been slim, but lately she has been focused on building up her muscles, getting strong and looking toned,” an insider explained to Woman’s Day.
Action-man Prince Frederik just casually crossing the finishing line at the Copenhagen Iron Man in 2013.
Queen Letizia’s ridiculously toned arms were on full display during a state dinner for the Korean President in Madrid, Spain in June.
Before she married Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Charlene represented South Africa in the Olympic swimming team in 2000.
During the prime of her swimming career, a then Charlene Wittstock won three gold medals and a silver medal at the All-Africa Games in Johannesburg in 1999.
She’s not the only royal with a professional sporting career under her belt. Zara Tindall’s husband Mike played rugby union for England from 2000 until 2014. And with hamstrings like that, it’s no wonder he was such a mean outside centre.
Mike’s wife Zara Tindall also boasts an impressive equestrian career with the elite athlete winning a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics as a part of the Great Britain Eventing Team.
Prince Harry or GI Joe? Prince Harry sent hearts racing when these shirtless photos of him mucking around with a rugby ball while serving in Afghanistan surfaced in 2008.
An abs-olutely ripped heir! As an apache pilot, Prince Harry was expected to have an elite-level of fitness.
Despite retiring from the British Army in 2014, the 36-year-old had maintained his health and fitness with regular gym sessions and polo matches.
Prince Harry storms off mid interview
Princess Margaret’s 22-year-old grandson Arthur Chatto could be mistaken for a Men’s Health poster boy! The 22-year-old is currently working as a personal trainer and ocean philanthropist.
The Duchess of Sussex’s toned and slender arms stole the show when she stepped out in this sleeveless Stella McCartney gown at her wedding reception.
Her secret? In the past, the mother-of-two has raved about the Lagree fitness method, which resembles a Pilates Reformer and strength training hybrid. “Your body changes immediately,” the 39-year-old has boasted of the workout.
The yoga-loving royal also practices the discipline regularly. Meghan says it “puts its energy towards internal beauty, celebrating the power of breathing and meditation.”
