Kate Beckinsale, 47, shows off her age-defying physique in a maroon bikini

If time is a cruel mistress then Kate Beckinsale proved that, for her at least, the clocks have well and truly stopped as she showed off her age-defying physique on Wednesday. 

Taking to Instagram, the 47-year old actress appeared to be in a wistful mood while sharing a video filmed exactly 12-months ago outside an undisclosed Los Angeles home.  

Wearing a distinctive maroon bikini beneath a white sheer robe, Kate’s undeniably toned body is on full display as she descends a set of steps outside the property. 

However her otherwise dramatic descent is undermined as she stifles a laugh while walking off camera – the result of her hapless cameraman toppling into a cactus. 

Captioning the short video, the actress also poked fun at her attempt to walk the notably steep steps in a pair of awkward strappy heels. 

She wrote: ‘This is a good example of what my mother would call “walking as if one has bogged ones breeks.” And also of a short gay man silently falling into a cactus off camera. 

‘And also of exactly this time last year pre Covid . Buggering hell. Hang tough everyone.’ 

Somewhat inevitably the video was well received by her adoring fans base, with many commenting on Kate’s flawless appearance. 

One wrote: ‘There is no one else in the world who has mastered those heels. You are an icon!’

While a second added: ‘Thanks for this clip. It made my 2 a.m. insomnia worth it.’

Posting a one word response, a third follower commented: ‘Gorgeous.’  

The actress shares daughter Lily, 21, with ex Michael Sheen – with whom she split in 2002 after seven years together. She later married American film director Len Wiseman, but they divorced after 11 years in 2019. 

Kate has since enjoyed a string of high profile romances with younger men, notably a short lived fling with comedian Pete Davidson, 27. 

Her last known relationship, with singer Goody Grace – who at 23 is 24 years her junior – reportedly ended in October.