LIVING LIKE
Older Royals put the younger generation to shame by doing twice as many public duties
SENIOR members of the Royal Family spent nearly twice as many days on public engagements as their younger counterparts this year, figures reveal.
The Queen’s children clocked up an average of 137 days in the public eye – compared with 76 for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Anne, the Princess Royal, had the busiest 2016 – with 179 days of engagements.
Charles, the Prince of Wales, was second on 139, with Edward, the Earl of Wessex, on 118 and Andrew, the Duke of York, on 112, according to figures from the Court Circular.
Princess Anne frequently tops the list for public engagements carried out by the royals. Her work ethic is said to be based on the belief that members of the monarchy should earn their keep.
Charles has a busy schedule most years as he has a large number of patronages and 12 charities he visits, supports and regularly works with.
In contrast, Harry had just 86 days of engagements, ahead of his brother William on 80. Bottom of the list was Kate with 63 days. The Duke of Edinburgh, Philip, who turned 95 this year, spent more days carrying out public appearances than his grandchildren.
His total of 110 was 30 ahead of the Duke of Cambridge and only two behind the Duke of York. The Queen’s total was 80.
William was criticised this year for the number of official engagements he was carrying out. Pictures of the him on a skiing trip in the Alps also provoked anger.
In a TV interview after the royal couple arrived home from a ski trip, the Duke responded to “work-shy” accusations by saying criticism was “part of the job”.