King Charles’ modern monarchy is facing growing criticism after recently released figures revealed a dramatic fall in royal commitments, although the Royal Household received its biggest funding boost in years.
Working members of the royal family carried out 2,273 official engagements last year, a significant drop from the 4,127 tasks recorded in 2012, the busiest year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
Today’s royal household consists of 11 working royals, up from 15 in 2012, while King Charles has also reduced parts of his schedule as he continues his cancer treatment.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have adopted a different style of royal service, focusing on long-term campaigns and causes rather than a busy schedule of traditional inauguration events.
Prince William and Princess Kate also spend around 16 weeks each year away from their official duties during school holidays to spend time with their three children.
The Sovereign Grant, public funding to support the King’s official duties and the upkeep of occupied royal palaces, is expected to reach £100m a year from 2027, more than triple the £31m allocated in 2012.
King Charles and Queen Camilla completed 708 engagements last year. For comparison, the Queen and Prince Philip carried out 808 official duties in 2003, when the late Queen was the same age as Charles is today, and continued to undertake around 800 engagements a year over the following decade.
The funding increase has been approved by royal administrators, 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 currently vacant properties, with the Royal Household also looking to increase its rental income by renting out more of its estate.
