King Charles’ modern monarchy is facing growing criticism after newly released figures revealed a dramatic drop in royal engagements, despite the royal family receiving its biggest funding boost for years
Working members of the royal family carried out 2,273 official engagements last year, down significantly from the 4,127 duties recorded in 2012, the busiest year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
Today’s royal household consists of 11 working royals, compared to 15 in 2012, while King Charles has also reduced parts of his schedule as he continues cancer treatment.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have embraced a different style of royal service, focusing on long-term campaigns and causes rather than a packed calendar of traditional ribbon-cutting events.
Prince William and Princess Kate also spend around 16 weeks each year away from official duties during the school holidays to prioritize time with their three children.
The Sovereign Grant, the public funding that supports the King’s official duties and the maintenance of occupied royal palaces, is set to rise to £100 million a year from 2027, more than tripling the £31 million awarded in 2012.
King Charles and Queen Camilla completed 708 engagements last year. By comparison, the Queen and Prince Philip performed 808 official duties in 2003, when the late Queen was the same age as Charles is today, and continued to undertake around 800 engagements annually well into the following decade.
The funding increase has been approved by the Royal Trustees, with £25 million each year earmarked for repairs and renovations across the royal estate.
The program will support the maintenance of 255 buildings, including several vacant properties, as the Royal Palace also looks to increase rental income by letting out more of its property.
