Fans of indoor rowing machines are in good company - the fitness equipment found in many gyms and homes also appears to have the royal seal of approval.

Buckingham Palace is building a state-of-the-art gym for its arsenal of workers to boost their fitness training after a hard day's work.

As well as underfloor heating throughout and two wetrooms, the luxury fitness complex will also include a rowing machine, stretch area, exercise bikes, treadmills and cross- trainers.

The gym, located in a former hay store in the grounds of the palace, will serve around 450 royal staff including soldiers, chefs, footmen, cleaners, plumbers, chauffeurs and gardeners.

A decision to install a gym was taken after research by the Lifestyle Committee discovered that all the top FTSE 100 companies provided gyms for employees, according to the Daily Mail.

However the jury is still out on whether the Queen herself will be seen doing a few rounds on the rowing machine.