By the numbers: Royal engagements in the coronation year
Trends are firming — as are narratives — now that three-quarters of 2023 is over
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The first coronation in 70 years makes 2023 a historic year for the royal family. As King Charles III establishes the tone of his reign — more modern, more relaxed than the conservative one of his mother — there’s no avoiding one big issue: who represents the monarchy and how much work they’re doing.
Five years ago, there were 15 working royals, including the two young, charismatic couples of William and Kate and Harry and Meghan. Everything seemed set for Charles to focus his reign around his own growing family, while slimming down the number of supporting working royals. Then came the scandalous exit of Andrew, followed by that of Harry and Meghan. Suddenly, Charles’s idea needed a rethink.
As Princess Anne told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation before the coronation: "Well, I think the 'slimmed down' was said in a day when there were a few more people around. It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I'm standing, I would say. I'm not quite sure what else we can do."
Older royals who were expected reduce their workloads are essential members of Team Windsor for the foreseeable future. The late Queen’s children and daughters-in-law occupy the top five spots among working royals, led by Princess Anne, 73, who had 343 engagements under her belt as of September 30. Combined, those five senior royals did 71 percent of all engagements, leaving the other six working royals to share the remaining 29 percent.
Even the Queen’s cousins are still plugging away at their royal duties: Though Princess Alexandra has largely retired — doing just five engagements — her older 88-year-old brother, the Duke of Kent, has done 68, while his cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, did 130 and the Duchess of Gloucester did 79.
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