There are numerous members of the British Royal Family. Following the passing of Queen Elisabeth II, King Charles III is the current reigning monarch. However, the Royal Family and who the working royals are differ.
So, the British Royal Family includes King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet (yep, the Sussexes are still in the royal family and in the line of succession). We seriously could go on and on.
However, there are only a handful of Windsors who are considered ‘working royals’.
To celebrate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday, the British Royal Family and all the working royals gathered to celebrate.
Who are the 11 working royals?
King Charles III
King Charles is the current monarch of the UK and the other 14 Commonwealth realms. He has been a working royal for his entire adult life – he first began back when he was the Prince of Wales and heir apparent.
Recently, Charles has returned to duties after stepping back due to cancer treatment. He recently took out the Hardest Working Royal title ahead of the Princess Royal, Anne, who has earned the title four years in a row.
Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla has been a working royal ever since she married Charles in 2005. When King Charles took a step back, Camilla had been working overtime as a royal in his place.
Prince William, Prince of Wales
Prince William, like his father, King Charles, has been a working royal for his entire adult life. In recent years, William has been representing the crown more frequently as he is being groomed to eventually be King.
Princess Catherine, Princess of Wales
Princess Catherine first became a working royal in 2011, when she married William. Like King Charles, the Princess of Wales took a break from royal duties due to her cancer diagnosis. However, she has recently completed treatment and has returned to duties, although at a slower pace.
Like William, she has been representing the crown more often in recent years as she will be the next Queen.
Princess Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne has been crowned ‘hardest working royal’ numerous times throughout her life. It’s because the Princess Royal carries out an impressive number of royal duties each year; for instance, in 2024 alone, she attended 457 engagements.
One of the most popular figures in the Royal Family, Anne as a supporter of rural life, sports (especially as an Olympian), and a mother. Read more about the Princess Royal here.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Edward, like his older brother King Charles, has been a working royal for his entire adult life.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
In 1999, after she married Prince Edward, Sophie became a working royal.
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Prince Richard, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, used to work as an architect. However, he became a working royal in 1972, after his older brother tragically died in an accident.
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
Birgitte became a working royal after she married Richard in 1972.
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
Prince Edward, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, became a working royal in 1976 after he left the British Army.
Princess Alexandra
Princess Alexandra, cousin of both the late Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip, has been a working royal since the late 1950s.
Why aren’t Beatrice and Eugenie working royals?
Royal sisters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have never been considered ‘working royals’. It’s never been publicly announced why not, but there are several theories…
One theory is that neither sister has a desire to be a working royal. Another is that they’re not allowed to become working royals in light of the numerous scandals their father, the former Prince Andrew, has been involved in. Of course, these are just speculations and no one but the royal family knows the real reason.
Who is the oldest working royal?
Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, is the oldest working royal. He turned 90 in October 2025.
Why aren’t Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, working royals?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from official duties in 2020, renouncing their “working royal” status. In January 2020, the couple made the announcement that they wanted to be financially independent and split their time between the UK and the United States of America. After discussions with Queen Elizabeth and other senior members of the British Royal Family, they came to an agreement.
By March, they officially stopped carrying out royal duties on behalf of the British Crown. So, they no longer represent the monarch at official events, they don’t receive public funding through the Sovereign Grant, they aren’t referred to as His/Her Royal Highness, and they are financially independent and have exercised that through private ventures like media deals and charitable work.
So, for instance, the visit they made to Australia in April 2026 was not considered a “royal visit” as they are now private citizens. Albeit, still the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
What is the difference between a working royal and a non-working royal?
The definition of a working royal is a member of the royal family who represents the monarch at official engagements.
Therefore, the 11 current working royals are all expected to represent King Charles at various events and carry out several duties on behalf of King Charles.
These events and duties can include:
- Carrying out international trips and tours
- Opening buildings
- Meeting with international dignitaries
- Hosting official state dinners and other events
- Attending parliamentary and constitutional functions
- Handing out honours
Non-working royals are still members of the royal family but do not represent the monarch at official engagements.
Non-working royals include Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Harry, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent.
