The King has been crowned the hardest-working royal of 2025, clocking up the most engagements of the year – despite his ongoing weekly cancer treatment.
Charles, 77, carried out 532 engagements over the last 12 months, 50 more than his sister Princess Anne, who often takes the hardest-working title. It means out of the 2,458 official royal engagements in 2025, the King carried out almost a quarter (22 per cent) of them.
The King stepped up his workload at the start of the year following positive progress with his cancer care, and just last week, he shared the good news that in the New Year, his cancer treatment is being reduced, crediting early diagnosis, successful care and following “doctors’ orders”.
The analysis of the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements, showed that 75-year-old Princess Anne, despite working more days than her brother, carried out 478 duties in 2025. The royal who carried out the third most engagements of 2025 was the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, 61, on 313, followed by his wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 60, in fourth place on 235. Queen Camilla, 78, was fifth, having completed 228 engagements.
The research, which includes all engagements up until December 18, has been compiled by royal expert Patricia Treble. She told the Mirror : “Considering he spent the entire year undergoing regular cancer treatment, the King set the pace when it comes to royal duty for the House of Windsor.
“There’s a common belief that Anne is the hardest-working royal. I beg to differ. Though the Princess Royal did the most days of work (186) in 2025, it was her big brother who did the largest number of engagements (532).”
The four most senior royals – the King and Queen and Prince and Princess of Wales – all saw their workloads jump this past year, with Charles’ engagements up 49 per cent year-on-year, William’s up 45 per cent and Camilla’s up 33 per cent. In particular, the Princess of Wales upped her workload from 13 engagements in 2024 to 68 in 2025 – a 423 per cent increase.
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Inside royal home with tragic past where Sarah Ferguson spent Christmas
Sarah Ferguson is facing something of a dilemma. With no invitation to join her former in-laws at Sandringham, and on the cusp of being kicked out of Royal Lodge, onlookers have questioned where Fergie will spend Christmas this year.
It is thought that both her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, have been invited to the royal celebrations in Norfolk, potentially ruling out a York family gathering. She could make plans to be with friends, although many former acquaintances have cut ties with Andrew and Sarah in light of the Epstein scandal.
With the news that disgraced Andrew will be staying in their Windsor home over the festive period, continuing to keep a low-profile at Royal Lodge currently seems the most likely option for Sarah, and Wood Farm could be just the place to keep out of the spotlight.
William and Kate’s ‘strict Christmas Day rule’ for George, Charlotte and Louis
Even on Christmas Day, the Royals adhere to strict rules and guidelines that dictate their day-to-day activities, including where they sit.
From the etiquette of descending stairs royally, to prohibitions on certain foods at the table, it appears that even the Royal children are not exempt from these protocols and traditions. Despite their tender ages, the young heirs to the throne, as well as senior family members, are expected to abide by a set of rules on Christmas Day.
According to a Royal chef’s account in Marie Claire, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are not allowed to dine with their parents – even during the eagerly awaited Christmas dinner.
Meghan Markle lists her favourite Christmas songs she plays ‘on rotation’
Meghan Markle has revealed her favourite Christmas songs in an Instagram video, with her go-to festive playlist featuring everything from classic carols to Mariah Carey.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, says she plays her mix “on rotation” at her home this time of the year, as she shared a video of her baking, cutting up ribbons and wrapping presents at her mansion in Montecito, California, in the lead up to Christmas.
The 16 songs include Ole Santa by jazz legend Dinah Washington, which was released in 1959, and Wham’s Last Christmas, which finally became Christmas number one in 2023, nearly 40 years after it was made.
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