King Charles is keen to take up knitting because it's "very good for mental health", according to Olympian Tom Daley.

The 77-year-old monarch and his wife Queen Camilla, 78, are in the United States for a four-day state visit with US president Donald Trump, 79, and they mingled with politicians, reporters and celebrities at a garden party thrown at the British embassy in Washington, D.C. on Monday (27.04.26). Olympic diver Tom Daley was among the guests who got to speak to the royals at the event and he shared his passion for knitting with the King.

Tom told PEOPLE: "He said he used to knit when he was eight years old. He said he wasn't very good at it but said he knew it was very good for mental health and maybe should give it another go."

The sports star also spoke to Queen Camilla about his hobby and she asked about his children, Robbie, seven, and Phoenix, three, with husband Dustin Lance Black.

Tom said: "She asked what I was up to now and told her about my knitting, and she asked about my kids. She couldn't believe how old they were now."

He added of being invited to the swanky event: "I always feel out of place at these things. It's all very surreal. It's fun!"

After landing in the US on Monday, the royals were whisked off to the White House to have tea with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump and they were then given a tour of the gardens so the King could see a new beehive, which has been rebuilt in the shape of a miniature White House, before they headed off to the garden party at the British Embassy.

King Charles and Queen Camilla's state visit continues on Tuesday (28.04.26) when the monarch will deliver an address to a joint meeting of Congress, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, who delivered a speech at the US Capitol in 1991.

The couple will then join President Trump for a state dinner at the White House on Tuesday evening before they travel to New York City on Wednesday (29.04.26) for engagements which include a visit to the 9/11 memorial at One World Trade Center in Manhattan.

The visit will also include a trip to Virginia where they will attend a block party to celebrate America's 250th birthday.