11 February 2024 , 23:00
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The list of hardest-working royals from over the past ten years shows just how much The Firm will miss King Charles as he begins treatment, but it is clear things will be in safe hands during his absence.
The monarch's shock diagnosis was uncovered during his recent hospital stay for a procedure on an enlarged prostate. The King, who has postponed all his public duties, has already begun his medical care as an outpatient under the supervision of his specialist team of doctors.
His absence will leave a massive void after it was recently revealed which members have carried out the most public engagements. From visiting various charities and community centres to travelling overseas and cutting the ribbon at public openings, life as a royal can be hands-on.
Inside the decade, His Majesty - or the Prince of Wales as he was for most of the service - carried out almost 5,000 engagements. Luckily, he will have someone to call upon with Princess Anne not far behind. It is expect that his loyal sister will increase her unwavering commitment to the crown during his treatment and recovery.
Princess Anne is expected to really step up during the King's absence in the months ahead (Getty Images)
Prince Andrew won't be asked to help but he's fifth on the hardest-working royals list (Getty Images)He won't be able to call upon his brother Prince Andrew of course, but he rated highly in the list, carrying out 2,289 in the last 10 years while Duke of York according to data compiled by royal watcher Tim O'Donovan for The Times. Prince Edward was third, behind the Queen who refused to shirk her responsibility despite her ailing health.
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1. King Charles III
King Charles carried out no fewer than 4,854 official engagements in this time, the figures show, most of which were done in his time as Prince of Wales.
2. Princess Anne
His younger sister the Princess Royal was not far behind, attending 4,693.
3. Prince Edward
Recently re-titled as the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward was listed as third hardest-working with 3,155 visits and events attended.
4. Queen Elizabeth II
Despite her ailing health, the late-Queen attended an impressive 2,721 engagements over the last decade before her death in September 2020, making her the fourth hardest-working.
5. Prince Andrew
Although no longer a working royal after being stripped of duties, Prince Andrew carried out 2,289 in the last 10 years while Duke of York.
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6. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Formerly the Countess of Wessex, Sophie has carried out 2,253 engagements.
7. Camilla, Queen Consort
The Queen Consort - formerly the Duchess of Cornwall - has undertaken less than half the number of duties the King has over recent years, with 2,084 engagements.
8. Duke of Gloucester
Although not one of the major royals, the late-Queen's cousin Prince Richard is still a working member of the family and attended 2,056 engagements.
9. Prince William
Despite being followed to every event by a fleet of flashing cameras, Prince William and Kate did not make the top five.
Prince William placed ninth on the list with his 1,709 engagements in this time.
Most recently, the Prince of Wales was pictured visiting a pub in Soho with Kate ahead of the Coronation, after taking a trip on the Elizabeth Line.
10. Duke of Kent
First cousin of the late-Queen, the Duke of Kent has attended 1,538 engagements.
11. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1057
Before his death in 2021, Prince Phillip racked up 1,057 engagements despite being in his late eighties and nineties.
12. Duchess of Gloucester
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester carried out 1,031 in this time.
13. Kate, Princess of Wales
Kate - now Princess of Wales - was named 13th hardest working at 1,024. These numbers include the events undertaken both together with William, and separately.
While time off for parental duties to their three children may account for the couple's slimmer figure, many of Kate's engagements have involved huge projects.
14. Prince Harry
Despite having parted ways with working royal life in early 2020, Harry and Meghan have still racked up hundreds of engagements between them.
Harry places 14th on the list with 1,009 engagements. His final ever event was in March 2020, when he and Meghan attended the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
15. Princess Alexandra
Another of the late-Queen's cousins, Princess Alexandra has attended 574 engagements over the past decade.
16. Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle's brief time as a working royal as Duchess of Sussex saw her attend 179 engagements.