It might be difficult to discern the royal family’s official responsibilities.
In general, every royal supports charitable causes, makes public appearances, and periodically travels the world to improve diplomatic ties.
However, some royals have day occupations, while others have extensive military careers.
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The royal family of the United Kingdom is a worldwide obsession. The majority of fans are familiar with all the royal names and faces, the line of succession to the throne, and even the family’s seldom-used surname.
Nevertheless, despite the steady flow of paparazzi images and press releases, it can be difficult to tell what the family members do.
The royals have no financial concerns, as they are supported by both taxpayers and a vast family inheritance. So, since they are not required to work, what do they do on a daily basis? This handbook outlines their general responsibilities.
Let’s begin with the royal family’s head, Queen Elizabeth II.
The queen passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Prior to her demise, the Queen’s calendar was brimming with “engagements,” a catchall term for various events.
Engagements include hosting heads of state, traveling on diplomatic missions, holding receptions in palaces, launching new legislative sessions, presenting citizens with awards, and a multitude of other activities.
According to The Telegraph, the Queen participated in 341 engagements in 2015, which is more than Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate combined.
Queen Elizabeth II delivers a speech at the opening of the 2008 session of Parliament.
Pool/AP/Arthur Edwards,
The Queen was required to remain impartial in all political affairs and was unable to vote, but she played a ceremonial role in the British government. She personally started each session of Parliament and met with the Prime Minister and other international leaders.
Before becoming law, any legislation enacted by Parliament required the Queen’s approval (officially known as Royal Assent). However, this is essentially a formality: Since 1707, when Queen Anne denied a law that would have reconstituted the Scottish militia after the formal unification of England and Scotland, no monarch has declined Royal Assent.
She also personally awarded citizens with honorific titles. Yes, this includes becoming a knight like Elton John or a dame like Helen Mirren; however, there are other other awards for accomplishments in the military, science, and other fields.
In addition, she was the Colonel-in-Chief of the armed forces, presiding over several military ceremonies, and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, appointing new archbishops, bishops, and deans.
Queen Elizabeth II knighted Sir Elton John in 1998.
Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
As of her 90th birthday in April 2016, the Queen was patron of 600 organisations, although the palace indicated that she would delegate some of these positions to other family members.
The other royals are there to support and stand in for the queen when she cannot.
The Queen was unable to be in two places at once, therefore she relied on the rest of the royal family to fulfill commitments and interact with the people on her behalf. Every year, the royal family performs over 2,000 engagements, entertains 70,000 visitors, and responds to 100,000 letters.
Approximately 3,000 nonprofit organizations list a member of the royal family as a patron. Many have also founded their own charitable organizations.
William and Kate traveled to Canada with their children, George and Charlotte, earlier this year.
Philip, the Queen’s husband, attended engagements and supported 800 organizations before his death in April 2022 at the age of 99. Charles, the eldest son of the Queen, frequently travels abroad with his wife to build diplomatic contacts. William and Kate have also participated in a number of formal tours, including a trip to Canada this year.
Some family members hold day jobs, while others have served in the military.
Throughout the years, a few family members have held non-royal positions: Edward, the youngest son of the Queen, previously worked for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s theater company, while his wife had her own public relations firm. Andrew, the second son of the Queen, served as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. Anne, the only daughter of the Queen, was an Olympic equestrian for Great Britain.
The Queen, all three of her sons, Prince William, and Prince Harry have all served in the armed forces; however, none of them are now active.
Prince Harry served in the military for a decade.
In fact, the majority of royals have abandoned their personal pursuits in order to serve the queen full-time.
A few major outliers exist:
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, granddaughters of the Queen and currently seventh and eighth in line to the throne, hold day occupations.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, Eugenie is an associate director at an art gallery, and Princess Beatrice’s website states that she “works full-time in the business world.” Prince Michael, the first cousin of the Queen, owns his own consulting firm, and his wife is an interior designer.
William, Duke of Cambridge, is the most famous working royal; he is an air ambulance pilot with East Anglian Air Ambulance. According to a new claim, he may soon quit his profession to assist the queen.
In 2015, William, Duke of Cambridge, was employed.
KGC-375/STAR MAX/IPx
Want to learn more about each royal’s engagements and charitable efforts? Their detailed biographies are available on the royal family’s official website.