Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly joke with King Charles at  Prince’s Trust reception

Prince’s Trust ambassadors Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly greeted King Charles III at a charity reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

Saturday Night Takeaway presenter Ant, 47, smiled broadly as he shook hands with the monarch at the event for Prince’s Trust Awards winners and celebrity ambassadors.

Ant looked smart for the regal occasion in a navy three-piece suit, which he wore with a white shirt, blue tie and polka dot pocket square.

He also notably wore a Prince’s Trust pin on his lapel.

His co-presenter Declan, also 47, was never far from his side and looked just as good in a dark suit with a striped tie.

Something seemed to have amused the group as they all laughed and joked together during the official meeting.

Ant and Dec are celebrity ambassadors for the King’s charity, which was founded while he held the title of Prince.

The gathering at the palace came a day after the Prince’s Trust Awards, held at The Theater Royal Drury Lane in London on Tuesday night.

The TV double act was one of the guests at the ceremony and was later seen leaving with their wives after the event.

Elsewhere at the reception, Geri Horner was seeking a royal pardon from King Charles, 26 years after she brutally kissed him on the cheek and patted his ass.

The Spice Girls star, 50, has met the king several times over the years and seemed happy to see each other again as they embraced at the star-studded event.

Geri even gave Charles an encouraging pep talk, telling him “you’re a very modern king” after kissing him on both cheeks.

Ginger Spice also told King Charles that she is “very proud” of him.

Geri later said, ‘I just think he’s a modern king, and when he was 28 years old he set up the Prince’s Trust.

“He could have celebrated, but instead he created this great organization – a modern king who believed in investing in people’s potential and capabilities.”

Charles invited those honored at the palace at Tuesday’s Prince’s Trust awards, along with the celebrities presenting the awards, including Hollywood star Stanley Tucci, British actor Stephen Graham, British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, musician and producer Nile Rodgers and event hosts Ant and Dec.

This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby left the show early to attend the palace event alone as reports continued to surface of a split with co-host and fellow Prince’s Trust ambassador Phillip Schofield.

At one point, the king was amazed when he took part in a magic trick performed by magician Dynamo, whose big break came after being awarded a Prince’s Trust grant.

In 1997, the Spice Girls met King Charles to celebrate the 21st birthday of The Prince’s Trust charity – and they were very cheeky.

Mel B asked Charles to dinner and broke royal protocol by giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“You should get your tongue pierced,” she told him, before Emma Bunton asked where Prince William was.

But Geri took it a step further and told him ‘you are very sexy’ and gave him a big kiss with red lipstick on the cheek and a ‘pat’ on the buttocks.

The Spice Girls star spoke about her flirtatious behavior with the royal family years later.

“I didn’t squeeze Prince Charles’ ass as reported. I knocked on it,’ she said. Patting him on the buttocks was against royal protocol, but we’re all human.

“There was a lot of nervous energy, young women, happy antics.”

The pair became good friends with Charles and even wrote to Geri when she announced her departure from the Spice Girls.

He wrote, “The group won’t be the same without you.

‘What am I to do without your wonderfully friendly greeting?

“I really wanted to let you know how deeply I appreciate your great generosity to my Prince’s Trust and how much I wish you the best for whatever the future brings.”