The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, is on track to claim the title of the ‘hardest working royal,’ traditionally held by Princess Anne.
This year, Sophie has dramatically increased her royal duties, having already undertaken 38 engagements in September, compared to just 18 in the same month last year.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne, long known for her tireless work ethic, has seen a significant reduction in her own public engagements.
Princess Anne, 74, has often been hailed as the Royal Family’s most diligent member, with many praising her dedication and commitment to her official duties.
In 2023, she conducted 212 engagements, leading the charge among senior royals. However, her number of appearances has dropped in recent months due to a serious injury sustained in June.
The injury, believed to have been caused by a horse kick on her country estate, led to a temporary hiatus from royal duties.
Despite this setback, Princess Anne has been slowly recovering and recently represented King Charles at a poignant event in the Netherlands.
Last weekend, she commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, a World War II military engagement.
This event was one of the 13 royal engagements she has undertaken so far this month—a far cry from her previous levels of activity.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has quietly stepped up to fill the gap left by several senior royals who have either been ill or injured over the last few months.
A source from within the palace commented, “Sophie has been working extremely hard over the last few months to bridge the absence gaps. She’s starting to become the hardest working royal, which is inevitable really because three of the top dogs have been out of action due to illness or injury.”
The “top dogs” referred to include King Charles and Princess Catherine, both of whom have been undergoing treatment for undisclosed cancers this year.
Their absence from many public engagements has left Sophie in a pivotal role.
In addition to taking on more responsibility at home, she has increased her presence on the international stage, continuing to champion causes she’s passionate about.
Sophie’s increased workload has positioned her as the Firm’s “secret weapon.”
As one of the more senior female members of the Royal Family, the 59-year-old Duchess has taken on a wide range of royal duties, often without much fanfare.
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed, with some royal observers predicting that she may soon eclipse Princess Anne as the hardest working royal if her pace continues.
Sophie’s schedule has been packed both domestically and abroad. Last week, she completed several engagements in Surrey, where she visited the Hale Community Centre in Farnham, the Mane Chance animal sanctuary, and Parity for Disability, a charity supporting people with multiple disabilities.
She reached her 38th appearance this month when she opened the Domaine Evremond Winery, further cementing her reputation as a diligent royal.
Her international work also continues to expand. Last year, Sophie made headlines as the first member of the Royal Family to visit Baghdad, Iraq.
She has also been involved in raising awareness of trachoma, a preventable disease that causes blindness.
Most recently, the Duchess visited Tanzania to continue this work, demonstrating her commitment to global health initiatives.
Before joining the Royal Family, Sophie had a successful career in public relations, a background that has undoubtedly served her well in her royal role.
She worked her way up the ladder at Capital Radio before launching her own PR firm, RJH Public Relations, in 1996.
Sophie ran the agency for five years with her business partner Murray Harkin, gaining valuable experience in managing public image and communications.
This professional background has allowed Sophie to approach her royal duties with a unique blend of pragmatism and passion.
She is known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to the causes she supports.
Whether it’s global health, disability rights, or animal welfare, Sophie’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life has made her a highly effective royal ambassador.
As Sophie continues to take on more responsibilities, questions arise as to whether she might officially surpass Princess Anne in the rankings of royal workload.
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While Anne has long been considered the Royal Family’s most hardworking member, the injury she sustained earlier this year has slowed her down.
Anne conducted only 20 engagements in September 2023 and has only completed 13 so far this month.
In contrast, Sophie has shown no signs of slowing down, even doubling her previous year’s engagement total for the month.
Last year, Sophie ranked as the fourth hardest-working royal, having completed 114 engagements. Her husband, Prince Edward, came in third with 144 engagements, while King Charles took second place with 197.
However, with Charles, Anne, and Princess Catherine all out of action for extended periods, Sophie has taken the opportunity to step up and fill the gaps.
Sophie and Edward are expected to maintain their busy schedules for the remainder of the year.
They are due to travel to Malta next month for a series of royal engagements, and more public appearances are expected both at home and abroad as they continue their work in support of the monarchy.
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s ascent as a leading royal figure highlights her dedication to the crown and her ability to step in during challenging times.
Whether she officially claims the title of the hardest working royal remains to be seen, but Sophie’s quiet determination and commitment to her royal duties have made her an indispensable member of the Royal Family.
With Princess Anne recovering from her injury and senior royals like King Charles and Princess Catherine focusing on their health, Sophie’s role is only likely to grow in importance in the coming months and years.
