Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall, Vows To Get In Shape

Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has vowed to get in shape. The 61-year-old, who is married to Prince Charles, plans to take up tai chi or Pilates as a New Year's resolution after admitting she has let "things slide."

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Camilla, who was speaking during a visit to a National Osteoporosis Society exercise class, said: "I did do a bit of yoga and used to do a lot of walking before I got married but I have let things slide."

"I thought I was doing enough to protect myself from osteoporosis but it seems not. I think I am going to have to make it my New Year's resolution - maybe to do some Pilates or even some tai chi."

Camilla, who is president of the National Osteoporosis Society, is acutely aware of the importance of exercising as a way to improve bone density because her mother and grandmother both died from osteoporosis - a disease which makes bones more likely to fracture.

She added: "No-one wants anyone getting too thin but it's so beneficial to include a small amount of careful, daily exercise in your routine. It's been proved to improve the bone density of those who suffer from this awful disease. I feel quite naughty, really, that I haven't been doing enough. These classes are so, so important."

Camilla - who was wearing a green and blue tartan suit - visited London's Royal Free Hospital Recreation Club for the exercise class.

When she was invited to take home a rubber exercise band to improve her muscle strength, she admitted: "I am going to go back with this terrifying-looking thing and do my best."

Camilla also joked that she plans to visit the new gym which is being built at Buckingham Palace, laughing: "Perhaps that could be the answer, then. Maybe I should threaten to go down there."