The House of Windsor’s working royals

While King Charles and the Princess of Wales take time out from public engagements, there are nine other working royals to call on. They are:

Queen Camilla

Queen Elizabeth II expressed her “sincere wish” for Camilla to be “Queen Consort” when her son became King and she has proved to be Charles’ “rock”. The Queen, 76, is patron or president of more than 90 charities which include supporting survivors of rape and domestic violence.

The Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Edward, 60, is 14th in line to the throne. Since Prince Andrew stepped back from royal work in 2019, Edward has become an important wingman for the King, carrying out UK and overseas engagements. He was granted his late father’s title by the King in 2023.

The Duchess of Gloucester

Danish Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen met Prince Richard in Cambridge. They married in 1972 and Birgitte, now 77, became Duchess of Gloucester six weeks later. The couple’s three children aren’t working royals.

The Prince of Wales

Prince William, 41, is heir to the throne and father to Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five. Alongside representing the King, the Prince has led global environmental initiatives via his Earthshot Prize and is a passionate advocate for the homeless.

The Duchess of Edinburgh

Sophie Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward in 1999. The couple has two children: Lady Louise, 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, 16. Sophie, 59, became Duchess of Edinburgh last year and is patron of more than 70 organisations.

The Duke of Kent

Son of Prince George and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, the Duke of Kent, 88, is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He became a working royal on leaving the British Army in 1976 and is best known for handing out the trophies at Wimbledon.

The Princess Royal

Princess Anne is feted as the hardest working royal because of her annual tally of engagements – 457 in 2023. Now 73, Anne started public work at 18. Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, isn’t a working royal, nor are her children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips.

The Duke of Gloucester

Born Prince Richard of Gloucester, the late Queen’s first cousin left his job as an architect to become a full-time working royal when his brother, William, was killed in a flying accident in 1972. Richard inherited his father’s dukedom in 1974 and turns 80 this August.

Princess Alexandra

As the daughter of the late Prince George, Princess Alexandra, 87, is the late Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin and, via her mother Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, is also the late Prince Philip’s first cousin. Her husband, Sir Angus Ogilvy, died in 2004.