The royal family's hardest-working member for 2024 revealed
It has been an undeniably challenging year for the British royal family, with its members experiencing several personal blows.
As the year began, King Charles III and the Princess of Wales were both diagnosed with cancer, while the Duchess of York announced she was battling melanoma.
The year was quickly compared to the late Queen Elizabeth II's "annus horribilis" – a Latin phrase for "horrible year" – in 1992.
Even with the ongoing adversity, the royals have persevered as best they could, with many family members stepping up to fill the gaps.
Now, SEO agency Reboot Online has used The Court Circular – the official record of the royals' public engagements – to uncover the monarchy's hardest-working members in 2024.
Here is a complete ranking of the busiest members of the royal family.
10: Catherine, Princess of Wales
The Princess of Wales was tenth with a total of 11 royal engagements in 2024, an 88 per cent decrease from 92 in 2023.
The change in her number of engagements is a result of Catherine taking time off to be treated for, and recover from, an unspecified form of cancer.
9: Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
Prince Edward, having retired from the British Army in the mid-1970s, is now focusing his attention on his long-standing Presidency of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
He was the ninth busiest royal, with 62 royal engagements in 2024, which was a 3.1 per cent decrease from last year.
8: Prince William, Prince of Wales
Prince William saw a 35 per cent decrease in royal engagements compared to 2023, coming in eighth place with 71 appearances.
In 2024, the future monarch has spent substantial time supporting his wife Catherine as she recovered and looking after their young family.
In addition to undertaking charitable projects and activities, he also carries out public and official duties that support the King.
7: Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, also had a quieter year, with a 21.7 per cent decrease in engagements since 2023.
Coming in seventh place with 72 engagements, the royal supports His Majesty at events in the UK and abroad and attends state and ceremonial occasions.
6: Queen Camilla
Despite stepping up to support King Charles as he recovered from cancer, Queen Camilla still had a decrease in royal engagements of 6 per cent.
The Queen Consort made 95 official appearances throughout the year, undertaking engagements on behalf of the charities that she supports.
Since her marriage to King Charles in 2005, the royal has become Patron or President of over 100 charities.
5: Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, came in fifth place with a total of 108 royal engagements in 2024.
A 5.3 per cent decrease from last year, the royal supports a significant number of her own charities and organisations, as she is a full-time worker.
The Duchess of Edinburgh splits her time between working on behalf of the King across the UK and Commonwealth.
3: Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
The Duke of Gloucester, the late Queen Elizabeth II's cousin, has been busy attending national and international events to cover the King's duties as Head of State.
With 126 royal engagements, he has increased his engagements by a whopping 11.5 per cent since 2023 as he supported the monarch.
2: King Charles III
The King, 75, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer after treatment for an enlarged prostate earlier this year.
His Majesty revealed the diagnosis in February and resumed public-facing duties in April.
Throughout 2024, the monarch had 186 royal engagements, which was a 5.6 per cent decrease from 2023.
Princess Anne
Princess Anne has taken the crown as 2024's busiest royal as she stepped up to help his brother, making a total of 217 royal engagements.
The Princess Royal saw a 2.4 per cent increase in engagements, thanks to her involvement with over 300 charities.
She began public work at age 18 and continued to maintain one of the busiest working schedules of any member of the royal family.
The 74-year-old has earned this title for many years, and this year was no exception.
View more galleries
Most viewed in Royals
Prince William and Kate back return to official duties with subtle nod to Prince Harry
Grace Kelly’s granddaughter engaged after decade-long romance
Norwegian royal family member dies just days after King Harald’s state funeral
Fresh blow for Prince Harry days after King’s letter clarifying his and Meghan’s royal status
