This royal worked the hardest in 2020 - and it might not be who you’d expect

The top hard-working royals of last year have been revealed

Queen Elizabeth II poses after awarding Captain Sir Thomas Moore with the insignia of Knight Bachelor at Windsor Castle on July 17, 2020 in Windsor, England
(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

When it comes to determining which royals work the hardest, the answer may not always be immediately obvious, but now new research has revealed who the most hard-working royal of last year is. 

It’s perhaps all too easy for some royal fans to assume that it’s the more high-profile royals who are carrying out the most engagements. As the ongoing effects of the pandemic have seen the Royal Family reportedly undertake half their public engagements last year via video call, some people’s minds may naturally turn to the Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who have conducted many public meetings this way.

But they were not the only royals who showed their dedication as they carried out their official duties last year. Now new research from SavoyStewart.co.uk has looked into who exactly the hardest working Royal Family member was in 2020. 

And after analyzing each royal family member’s engagements and days of work, as recorded by the Court Circular, the results may just surprise you…

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Who was the most hard-working Royal Family member in 2020?

Queen Elizabeth II may be the head of the Royal Family, but it seems her daughter, Princess Anne was the hardest working royal in 2020. Often praised and appreciated for her dedication to the crown, the research found that Princess Royal carried out 148 engagements in the past year, resulting in a staggering 145 working days! 

Princess Anne, Princess Royal attends day 1 'Champion Day' of the Cheltenham Festival 2020 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 10, 2020 in Cheltenham, England

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The months which saw Princess Anne working especially hard were February (19 working days), May (15 days) and October (15 days). When not attending to public duties, St. James's Palace was the royal residence the Princess attended most engagements - 144 out of 148 - from.

Who were the other top hard-working royals?

Princess Anne’s older brother and the heir to the throne, Prince Charles, came in as the second hardest working royal. Whether it was via video call or a public appearance, the Prince of Wales carried out 146 engagements in 141 working days in 2020. According to Court Circular reports, February and July were particularly busy for the Prince of Wales: he worked 16 days over each month!

Following her two elder children comes Queen Elizabeth II herself in third place, with 136 engagements in 2020. Between official appearances at events and working from home, the 94-year-old monarch has worked 130 days and 16 of them were in February. 

This puts the Queen only behind Princess Anne when it comes to the total number of engagements in a month. 

The Queen is followed by her youngest son, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, in fourth (123 working days), and Prince William who claims the title of fifth hardest working royal of 2020. With a total of 104 engagements and 103 working days, the Duke of Cambridge had his busiest days in January and June, with 13 days each month. 

What might come as more of a surprise for royal fans is that the Duchess of Cambridge only came in as the eighth hardest working royal. 

Despite how this might initially sound, however, Duchess Catherine still carried out 79 engagements in 2020, with 77 days of work. And that’s all fitted around being a devoted mother to her three young children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. 

Who knows what exciting engagements these hard-working royals will carry out in 2021?

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!