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The global pandemic has changed the way many people around the world work and carry out their engagements and the royal family is no exception. Whether they attended events in person or via Zoom, members of Queen Elizabeth II‘s family still had a job to do this year but some worked more than others.

Here’s who was named the hardest-working royal as well as who’s done the least amount of engagements so far this year. Plus, who has really stepped up their duties following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s exit.

The Royal Family standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony watching a flypast
The royal family standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony watching a flypast | Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Hardest-working royal of the year so far

The woman who has taken the title of hardest-working royal is Queen Elizabeth’s daughter Princess Anne.

The Princess Royal has beaten out every one of her family members when it comes to how many engagements she has attended so far in 2021. The Express noted that through Sept. 15, Anne has completed 110 engagements and she has worked 106 days.

The title of hardest-working royal is one Anne has earned many times over the years. However, prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns, she was dethroned by her older brother Prince Charles. The future king attended 521 functions compared to the princess’s 506 in 2019. Thus far in 2021, the Prince of Wales is in second place behind his sister having worked 100 days and completing 101 royal engagements, according to data compiled by SavoyStewart.co.uk.

(L to R) Prince Edward, Sophie, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Camilla, and Princess Anne standing outside Windsor Castle
(L to R): Prince Edward, Sophie, Kate Middleton, Prince William, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Camilla, and Princess Anne standing outside Windsor Castle | Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Least hard-working royal of 2021 so far

When it comes to the rest of the royals, Queen Elizabeth takes the third spot with 96 engagements over the course of 94 days through mid-September. Her grandson and second in the line of succession, Prince William, has undertaken 74 engagements. His stepmother, Camilla Parker Bowles, attended 50 engagements. The Duke of Cambridge’s wife, Kate Middleton, wasn’t as hardworking per the number of engagements with just 41, which is less than her fellow senior royals.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been called “work shy” in the past when she and her sister-in-law, Meghan, both made the list of least hardworking based on the number of engagements they participated in. July was the busiest month in terms of appearances, commitments, and visits for most senior royals. Kate, however, hadn’t been seen in public for much of the summer as she was taking a break to spend time with her three young children. The duchess returned to her royal duties on Sept. 15.

The royals who have taken on more duties since Meghan and Harry left

Prince Edward, Sophie Countess of Wessex ,and Princess Anne sitting next to each other at the RAF 100 ceremony
Prince Edward, Sophie Countess of Wessex, and Princess Anne sitting next to each other at the RAF 100 ceremony | Dan Kitwood – WPA Pool/Getty Images
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced in 2020 that they were stepping down as senior royals. In February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not be returning to royal duties in any compacity. Since then one couple who wasn’t in the royal limelight all that much really ramped up their duties.

The queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex have taken on more initiatives to break up the family’s workload. In fact, the Earl of Wessex was the fourth hardest-working royal this year just ahead of Prince William with 77 engagements. Sophie came in sixth, ahead of Camilla and Kate with 53.

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