The British Royal Family, with its centuries-old tradition of public service, continues to actively engage in numerous royal duties. However, recent analysis of the Court Circular, the family's official record of engagements, has revealed a surprising disparity in the workload among its members.
Leading the charge in 2023 is Princess Anne, aged 73, who remarkably completed 457 engagements. Her relentless dedication places her at the top, followed closely by her brother, King Charles III, with 425 engagements. Prince Edward, at 59, also showed considerable involvement with 297 appearances.
Queen Camilla, despite her 76 years, managed 233 engagements, outpacing her daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, who completed 123 engagements. This figure, though an increase from her 90 appearances the previous year, falls short when compared to other senior royals. Prince William, her husband and the heir to the throne, tied with 79-year-old Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, each marking 172 engagements.
Surprisingly, even the 88-year-old Duke of Kent surpassed Kate Middleton with 69 engagements. The Duchess of Gloucester, aged 77, was close behind Middleton with 117.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams commends Princess Anne's commitment, stating, "She is one of the best advertisements for the Royal family because she is hardworking, dedicated, and popular."
Dickie Arbiter, former press spokesman for Queen Elizabeth II, notes that much of King Charles III's work is behind the scenes, thus not always reflected in the Court Circular. He adds, "Anne is a tremendous support to the King... For an ageing monarchy, they are doing pretty well."
However, the comparatively lower number of engagements undertaken by the Princess of Wales has drawn criticism from royal watchers. Comments range from labeling her workload as a 'joke' and 'embarrassing', to calls for increased engagements now that her children are in school. Yet, there are voices defending her, highlighting her role in raising a young family and her focus on fewer but more impactful patronages.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are known to have deliberately chosen to concentrate on fewer patronages, using their influence to highlight issues close to their hearts, such as the Earthshot Prize and the Shaping Us campaign. Balancing their royal duties with family life, they aim to provide a normal upbringing for their children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
This analysis raises questions about the future approach of the monarchy, particularly in the face of changing societal norms and expectations. As the royal family evolves, the balance between tradition and modernity continues to be a topic of public interest and discussion.
