The royal Olympian! Ex-swimmer Princess Charlene leads Prince Albert of Monaco and glamorous European royals in Paris 24 years after she competed in the games

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco joined a host of European royals at Élysée Palace - ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris.

The regal couple were a vision in bold pink and red colours, as they arrived alongside King Felipe of Spain, the King and Queen of Denmark, and the Belgian monarchs. 

On Friday afternoon, French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife welcomed the cohort for a decorated Heads of State reception.

Princess Charlene began her swimming career in 1996 and represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with her team finishing fifth in the 4 × 100-metre medley relay. She retired from professional swimming in 2007.

Charlene met Prince Albert at the Mare Nostrum swimming competition in Monte Carlo in 2000 and the pair married 11 years later.

Putting on a chic display in a white gown and red blazer, Queen Mary of Denmark led the way at the reception in a striking crimson top - as her husband opted for a navy suit - while Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium too looked dapper ahead of the festivities.

Also present were Maria Teresa, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco joined a host of European royals at Élysée Palace - ahead of tonight's Olympics opening ceremony in Paris

Princess Charlene began her swimming career in 1996 and represented South Africa at the 2000 Sydney Olympics

Royals from farther away - including the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his wife - were also in attendance.

The Olympic Games is officially underway this evening with a glittering ceremony - but that hasn't stopped the royals from marking the occasion early.

Charlene, 46, was the image of glamour in a dusky pastel jumpsuit, teamed with a silver clutch and heels. She styled her short blonde tresses into a chic updo. 

Elsewhere her husband Albert, 66, made a statement in a colourful rouge jacket with a striped tie to match.

Meanwhile, Mathilde, 51, was joined by her husband King Philippe as they officially opened the hotel ahead of the games.

The mother-of-four opted for a bright red button-up dress, which she paired with vibrant red stilettos. 

She completed her ensemble with a red clutch bag and she accessorised with gold earrings and an array of designer bangles.

Mathilde wore her golden blonde tresses down in her usual blow-dried bob and went for a natural makeup look. King Philippe looked typically smart in an inky black suit.

The regal couple was a vision in bold white and red colours, as they arrived alongside King Felipe of Spain , the King and Queen of Denmark, and the Belgian monarchs. Pictured: French President Emmanuel Macron (L) and his wife Brigitte (R) pose for a photo with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium

Putting on a chic display in a white gown and red blazer, Queen Mary of Denmark led the way in a striking crimson dress - as her husband opted for a navy suit

The regal couple was a vision in bold white and red colours, as they arrived alongside King Felipe of Spain , the King and Queen of Denmark, and the Belgian monarchs

Pictured: Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg with the Macrons

Pictured: Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and his wife at the event today

Pictured: King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark pose for a photo during a reception hosted by French President Macron and his wife at the Elysee Palace 

The Danish royals snapped a photo with the Macrons ahead of tonight's Olympics opening ceremony 

Charlene looked stunning a dusky pink jumpsuit as she arrived at the Elysee Palace in Paris today

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene arrived to attend a reception for heads of state and government at the Elysee Palace before the opening ceremony

The couple were all smiles as they greeted other monarchs and world leaders at the Palace today

Accessorising with metallic aesthetics, Charlene was chic and glamorous in her ensemble at the Palace

Charlene and Albert grinned as they posed with the Macrons - and chatted with the French president and his wife

Whereas Albert and Charlene donned colourful clothes, Emmanuel and Brigitte wore more neutral tones

Emmanuel and his wife were full of warm greetings for the Monaco royals at the Palace earlier today

Albert and Charlene were the image of regal fashion as they arrived at the Palace ahead of the ceremony 

Pictured: King Felipe VI of Spain arrived at a reception hosted by French President Macron today

The Spanish King, sporting a pinstriped blazer and colourful tie, waved as he arrived at the Palace

Pictured: French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron during a group picture of heads of state and government at reception organized at Elysee Palace

Queen Mary of Denmark has led the European royals stepped out in the French capital on Friday 

Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium stepped out to open the Lotto Belgian House in the Salons Hoche

The mother-of-four opted for an orange and white floral summer dress which she paired with vibrant red stilettos

Mathilde wore her golden blonde tresses down in her usual blow-dried bob and went for natural makeup

The European royal, 51, was joined by her husband King Philippe as they officially opened the hotel ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

And King Felipe was dapper as ever in a blazer and slacks, as the royals all posed for photos with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

The couple appeared in great spirits as they were given a tour around the new premises which is just a few minutes’ walk from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.

Instead, it will take place outside of a closed stadium, with Paris to host a never before seen water parade for the Olympics.

Yesterday, Princess Anne touched down in Paris, with Queen Letizia of Spain, and Queen Mary all putting on glamorous appearances.

Queen Mary was joined by her husband King Frederik, 56, as they participated in the opening of the Danish pavilion at the Maison du Danemark in Champs-Elysees, which will be open throughout the games this summer.

Mary appeared the picture of health in a stunning red jumpsuit as she joined her husband Frederik to cut the ribbon for the official opening of the Danish pavillion.

She and Frederik greeted the president of the Olympic committee Thomas Bach in an atmospheric setting in front of the Louvre and the tournament's famous rings.

Teaming her look with a white blazer, Mary was dressed in her country's colours, sending a strong message of support to the team.

Joining the royals stepping out in Paris on Friday was Princess Anne. It is part of a gradual return to royal duties for the 73-year-old since she was taken to hospital on June 23 with minor head wounds and concussion after walking around her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. Her doctors believe her injuries to be consistent with being struck by a horse.

The Princess Royal, who is president of the British Olympic Association, visited Team GB's pre-games training base in Saint-Germain-En-Laye earlier on Thursday.

She completed her ensemble with a red clutch bag and she accessorised with gold earrings and a slew of designer bangles

King Philippe looked typically smart in a navy suit jacket which he paired with dark grey trousers

The couple appeared in great spirits as they were given a tour around the new premises which is just a few minutes’ walk from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées

Princess Anne led the European royals touching down in the French capital, visiting Team GB's training base

The Princess royal, 73, who was the first member of the royal family to compete in the Olympics, also met with twins Laviai and Lina Nielsen

Queen Mary appeared the picture of health today in a stunning red jumpsuit. Pictured with Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach

Anne was the first British royal to compete in the Olympics herself, and could be seen wearing a Team GB sweatshirt herself in full support of the team.

She seemed back to her usual self and was in cheerful spirits as she met and shook hands with some of Britain's brightest stars, including runners Keely Hodgkinson, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, and twins Laviai and Lina Nielsen.

Royal fans branded her a 'royal rock star' as she made an energetic return to engagements after her time away from the public spotlight.

Wednesday, she had wished Team GB's stars 'every bit of success and that it goes as well as you hope' in a speech ahead of the Games.