The Times has published its annual letter from Tim O’Donovan detailing the number of engagements undertaken by members of the Royal Family in the past year.
In his annual survey of the Royal Family’s engagements, Mr O’Donovan noted, “After the busy Diamond Jubilee year it is not surprising that members of the Royal Family carried out fewer official duties in 2013.”
He went on to say, “I should emphasise that the table of figures, below, should not be converted into a “league table” of individual royal performance. All engagements differ as to time and content and there is also the time taken in preparation, whether it be a visit, investiture or speech.”
With the exception of her Diamond Jubilee year, The Queen’s engagements have been gradually reducing year on year, with other members of the Royal Family taking on more duties themselves in recent times.
In 2014, it is expected the Prince of Wales will take on even more of Her Majesty’s duties as the preparation for the transitions of reigns continues.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge should also begin to pick up their involvement with more engagements as the Duke has now left service in the Armed Forces to focus on royal engagements and charity work.
Mr O’Donovan, as ever, concluded his letter by saying, “Except for Christmas Day and Easter Day, the Queen never has a day off from the official red boxes which pursue her everywhere.”
The below table shows Royal Central’s collation of this year’s engagements and those from from several previous years for the purposes of comparison.
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |
Her Majesty The Queen | 341 | 425 | 370 | 444 |
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh | 184 | 325 | 330 | 356 |
HRH The Prince of Wales | 537 | 592 | 601 | 585 |
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall | 246 | 276 | 250 | 243 |
HRH The Duke of Cambridge | 62 | 88 | 90 | 73 |
HRH The Duchess of Cambridge | 44 | 111 | 34 | – |
HRH Prince Henry of Wales | 52 | 61 | 16 | 53 |
HRH The Duke of York | 330 | 436 | 455 | 529 |
HRH The Earl of Wessex | 345 | 431 | 374 | 362 |
HRH The Countess of Wessex | 228 | 324 | 191 | 188 |
HRH The Princess Royal | 454 | 566 | 568 | 514 |
HRH The Duke of Gloucester | 222 | 337 | 251 | 307 |
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester | 132 | 146 | 155 | 120 |
HRH The Duke of Kent | 198 | 239 | 211 | 223 |
HRH Princess Alexandra | 28 | 110 | 118 | 82 |
photo credit: West Midlands Police via photopin cc
Her Royal Highness , Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had a Time Table of events in her Diamond Jubilee Year which was pressurizing and at times very unpredictable . It a great Idea that His Royal Highness, Prince Charles of Wales and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are being delegated the Official continuing of the Diamond Jubilee. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh , Prince Philip need some Down time. Wishing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Entire British Royal Monarchy a Happy 2014. Cheers
The duke and duchess of Cambridge do very little. But they are the new royal celebrities who attract unearned praise More respect needs to be given to princess Anne who continues to give service with no public acknowledgement