Younger generation to shoulder more of royal duties
Duke’s retirement brings new era as Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge step up to help Queen
THE retirement of the Duke of Edinburgh will mark a new era for the Royal family, as younger members of the family increasingly step up to assist the Queen.
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip’s son and grandson, will continue to take on extra duties, as other members of the family accompany the Queen on regu- lar engagements. Kensington Palace has already detailed plans for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to move to London later this year, as the Duke leaves his job as a search and rescue pilot in Norfolk to begin to carry out fulltime royal duties.
The Prince of Wales, who has already taken on many regular duties as representative of the Queen, will continue to step up for overseas tours and state occasions.
The Duke of Edinburgh announced yesterday that he would no longer accompany his wife on regular engagements, after seven decades of working together in public life.
Where necessary, the Queen will be accompanied by other members of her family. In recent months she has been joined by the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, while Prince Harry, the Princess Royal and Countess of Wessex have previously been by her side.
Royal sources emphasised there would be no “sudden changes” in the duties taken on by senior royals, adding the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall would seek to assist along with the rest of the family as occasion required.
They “stand ready to support the Queen”, one aide added.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge have already adopted some investiture duties, with the Prince also attending recent Commonwealth heads of government meetings. Last year, the Queen stepped down as patron of 25 national organisations, with the Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry taking over for suitable organisations.
In recent months, the younger members of the Royal family have faced pressure to step up their duties.
Analysis of the Daily Court Circular in 2016 showed the Duke of Cambridge undertake 80 days of public engage- ments. Prince Harry completed 86, while the Duchess of Cambridge – who was looking after Princess Charlotte on maternity leave for much of it – undertook 63.
The Princess Royal completed 179 days, the Prince of Wales 139, the Earl of Wessex 118 and Duke of York 112.
The Duke of Edinburgh made a total of 110 days of public engagements.
Earlier this year, Kensington Palace confirmed: “From this autumn, The Duke and Duchess will increasingly base their family at Kensington Palace.
“As they have in recent years, Their Royal Highnesses are keen to continue to increase their official work on behalf of the Queen and for the charities and causes they support, which will require greater time spent in London.”
‘Their Royal Highnesses are keen to continue to increase their official work on behalf of the Queen’