While there are many different members of the extended British Royal Family that we have seen at different events in the last year, not all members are working royals. It’s a distinction that has come to the fore in the reign of King Charles III as major events, such as the Coronation, saw balcony appearances limited to royals who are working members.
Working royals carry out official engagements on behalf of the Crown. This can include representing the Monarch on Commonwealth and foreign visits, carrying out daily engagements in Britain, and taking part in important events such as Remembrance Sunday.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla
The King and Queen carry out many engagements and have continued their previous workload which was substantial by the end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. They have just returned from their first State Visit to France and the second of the new reign.
The King supports a number of causes including sustainability, promoting interfaith work, and promoting craft and textile work while The Queen works with a number of organisations who help promote literacy across all communities, osteoporosis, and domestic violence.
The Prince and Princess of Wales
The Prince and Princess of Wales have established a wide portfolio of different causes that they support and work in. They both also hold a range of military positions. The couple have carried out a number of high profile overseas visits, representing the Royal Family and the United Kingdorm.
Key focuses for the Prince of Wales include sustainability and the environment as well as work to support those experiencing homelessness. The Princess of Wales has a deep interest in early years support and mental health issues. Both have high profile patronages involving sport.
The Princess Royal
The Princess Royal is widely regarded as the hardest-working member of the Royal Family, as she typically has the highest engagement numbers at the end of the year. Princess Anne has been lauded for being willing to take on many of the less glamorous engagements.
She is also known for her work with organisations including Save the Children and Riding for the Disabled. The Princess Royal also holds a number of military roles.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh received their new title in March 2023, and it was seen by many as a reward for their work for the Crown. Over the past twenty years, they have taken on a wide range of engagements and their role within the Royal Family has grown significantly in the reign of King Charles III.
They carry out a significant number of engagements and tours every year, with Prince Edward involved with The Duke of Edinburgh awards and The Duchess supporting organisations providing research and support for preventable blindness.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
The Duke of Gloucester is a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, and he and his wife have been working royals for decades. Their patronages cover a huge range of areas from architecture to tennis.
Although they are now not as well known as they were in the middle years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester continue to carry out hundreds of engagements every year in a wide range of areas.
The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra of Kent
The late Queen’s cousins, The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra of Kent, have been working members of the family for decades. They both began royal duties at an early age, supporting Queen Elizabeth II in the early years of her reign and for decades, they were among the highest profile members of the Royal Family.
They have not officially announced that they will be stepping back from royal life but as both are in their mid-80s it is expected that they will wind down their engagements in the months and years ahead. However, both remain active in support of the Crown, carrying out duties.
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