Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Princess Anne is fighting back in her war with the Duchess of Edinburgh over who is the hardest-working royal.
According to the official Court Circular and Royal Diary for this month, Princess Anne has a total of 75 engagements in play compared to Sophie’s nine.
However, a source has pointed out that the Duchess will undertake more than what is officially listed this month due to engagements planned in Malta and other visits not yet added to her diary – but that total will come nowhere near the Princess Royal’s tally.
“Anne and Sophie can see the funny side of it and the race is on,” said the source. “Last month, Sophie was in the lead and it looks like Anne is going to trounce her in October.”
The Sunday Express reported last week that the Duchess of Edinburgh was on course to take the ‘hardest working royal’ crown from Anne after more than doubling the number of engagements she conducted in September compared to the same month last year.
The Duchess of Edinburgh undertook close to 40 royal engagements last month compared to 18 in September 2023.
On the other hand, Princess Anne conducted far less in the same period with 20 engagements listed on the Court Circular for September 2023 dropping to a final total of 15 by the end of last month.
Sophie, 59, has become the Firm’s “secret weapon” this year as she steps up to support the Royal Family during a number of absences.
Both King Charles and the Princess of Wales have been out of action for most of the year which saw the Duchess of Edinburgh take on more responsibility.
Not only have Charles and Kate stepped back after undergoing treatment for undisclosed types of cancers, but Princess Anne was also out of action in June and July following an injury she sustained on her country estate from a suspected horse kick.
The Princess Royal, 74, has often been credited as the hardest-working royal throughout the years.
Last month, Anne represented King Charles during a poignant engagement to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.
Meanwhile, Sophie has stepped up her royal engagements both at home and abroad.
Earlier today, October 5, the Duchess spoke with the International Space Station during a visit to the Brooklands Motor Museum in Surrey as part of her new role as patron of GirlGuiding, a position previously held by the late Queen.
Last month, the Duchess took part in a slew of engagements in Surrey and other UK trips. She also recently visited Tanzania to continue her work to raise awareness of trachoma – a preventative disease that can cause blindness.
Sophie also became the first royal to visit Baghdad in Iraq last year.
In 2023, Sophie was listed as the fourth hardest-working member of the Royal Family – having carried out a total of 114 engagements.
King Charles undertook 197 visits last year while Anne undertook 212 official engagements.
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.