King Charles Crowned Hardest-Working Royal in 2025

In 2025, King Charles III has been recognized as the hardest-working member of the British royal family, surpassing his sister, Princess Anne, who held the title for four consecutive years. Despite undergoing weekly cancer treatment, King Charles conducted 533 engagements, the highest number since 2019, while Princess Anne completed 478 engagements.

Princess Anne dethroned as “Hardest Working Royal” for the first time in five yearsThe IndependentThe Telegraph - UK

The royal family collectively increased their workload in 2025, with a total of 2,459 engagements, marking a 23% rise from 2024. This surge in activity followed a challenging year for the royals, during which both King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer. The King’s engagements included high-profile state visits to Italy, Canada, and Poland. Princess Anne, while slightly behind in total engagements, had more official working days, totaling 186 compared to her brother's 166.

Princess Anne dethroned as “Hardest Working Royal” for the first time in five yearsThe Telegraph - UKThe Independent

Following King Charles and Princess Anne, the rankings of royal engagements for 2025 included Prince Edward with 313 engagements, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh with 235, and Queen Camilla with 228. The Duke of Gloucester completed 212 engagements, while Prince William, the Prince of Wales, significantly increased his workload to 202 engagements, up from 71 in 2024. The Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent rounded out the list with 113 and 77 engagements, respectively.

Princess Anne dethroned as “Hardest Working Royal” for the first time in five yearsThe Independent

Analyst Patricia Treble described King Charles as “indefatigable,” noting that the royal family seemed to be making up for lost time after a difficult previous year. The increase in engagements reflects a concerted effort by the royals to fulfill their public duties amid personal health challenges.

The Telegraph - UK

While the rankings highlight the hard work of the royals, some critics argue that the focus on engagement numbers can overshadow the personal struggles faced by individual members, particularly in light of health issues. The Princess of Wales, who returned to public duties after her cancer treatment, conducted 68 engagements in 2025, a significant increase from her previous year's performance but still the lowest among the working royals.

The Independent

• “it felt like the House of Windsor was making up for lost time” — Patricia Treble, Analyst

The Independent

• “You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.” — Catherine, Princess of Wales

The Independent

As the royal family continues to navigate their public roles, the upcoming year may see further changes in engagement levels, particularly with Prince William expected to take on more responsibilities as he prepares for his future role as king.

Princess Anne dethroned as “Hardest Working Royal” for the first time in five years