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Today’s story offers a rare look behind palace walls—a glimpse at a quiet tension growing within the inner circle of the monarchy. It centers around Princess Anne, the famously diligent royal, and her mounting concern over an imbalance in ceremonial duties—especially the prestigious investiture ceremonies. At the heart of this issue lies a puzzling question: Why is Princess Anne still handling the majority of these duties when others, perhaps more conveniently placed, are not?
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For generations, the British monarchy has symbolized stability, tradition, and service. Key to this legacy are public duties that allow the royal family to connect with citizens across the nation. Among these, investiture ceremonies stand out as some of the most treasured and meaningful. These events celebrate individuals who have demonstrated courage, excellence, or lifelong service. Whether receiving an OBE, MBE, knighthood, or damehood, recipients are honored in grand locations like Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle—surrounded by the weight of history and a sense of national pride.
Traditionally, the monarch or close senior royals preside over these ceremonies. With King Charles III now on the throne, these responsibilities have largely been shared among him, Prince William, and Princess Anne. And it’s Princess Anne—often praised as the hardest-working royal—who now finds herself at the center of quiet royal frustration.
At 74, Anne continues to outpace her royal relatives in terms of yearly engagements. Her stamina, focus, and commitment are unmatched. Yet recent whispers suggest she is privately growing weary—not of the work itself, but of the disproportionate load she’s carrying when it comes to investitures. A recent report in The Times quoted a source close to the Princess Royal, saying plainly: “She’s still doing most of the investitures at Windsor, even though William lives there. It annoys her.”
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This statement cuts to the heart of the matter. Windsor Castle is not just any royal venue—it is home turf for Prince William and Princess Kate, who reside at Adelaide Cottage nearby. Given their proximity, it raises a fair question: why is Anne, who lives in Gloucestershire’s Gatcombe Park, making the frequent trek to Windsor to conduct these ceremonies, while William—just minutes away—is not taking on more of them?
Anne’s frustration seems less about the workload itself and more about fairness and practicality. It’s not unreasonable to assume that she hopes Prince William might take on more of these time-consuming duties, especially considering the travel and preparation they require. While William has a full royal schedule of his own, this situation hints at a deeper issue—how responsibilities are divided among the senior royals.
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Adding to this dilemma is the fact that two other prominent royal women—Queen Camilla and Princess Kate—are currently unable to participate in investitures. Despite their growing public roles and visibility, royal protocol dictates that only certain royals—mainly those in the direct line of succession or with longstanding service—are authorized to confer honors. This authority is granted directly by the monarch, and at present, neither Camilla nor Kate have been formally assigned this duty.
It’s not a question of their willingness or ability. Both women have shown admirable dedication in their roles, hosting receptions, supporting causes, and representing the Crown. However, without the formal go-ahead, they’re barred from participating in one of the monarchy’s most symbolic traditions.
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Still, the rules are not carved in stone. There is flexibility in royal protocol. Should King Charles choose, he could authorize Queen Camilla or Princess Kate to conduct investitures in the future. This would not only help lighten the load on Princess Anne and King Charles himself but also represent a progressive move—acknowledging the evolving roles of royal women and adapting to the demands of a modern monarchy.
Currently, about 30 investiture ceremonies take place each year. Each is a detailed, highly ceremonial event that requires meticulous preparation and a strong personal presence. Princess Anne continues to carry out the bulk of them with grace, even as she maintains a packed calendar of royal duties. Just this week, she honored an array of exceptional individuals—from Olympians to journalists and celebrated actors like Sarah Lancashire—underscoring her hands-on approach and commitment to making every honoree feel valued.
During one of these recent ceremonies, a particularly powerful exchange took place. One of the awardees confided in Princess Anne that women’s sports are still fighting against the grip of “old gray men.” It’s a sentiment that surely resonated with Anne, who as an Olympian and lifelong advocate for women’s athletics, has faced her share of challenges in traditionally male-dominated arenas. This moment reveals her connection with the real world beyond the palace gates and reinforces her image as a royal grounded in experience and empathy.
So what does all of this mean for the future of the monarchy? It highlights a need for smarter delegation—one that ensures all active senior royals contribute proportionately. It reminds us that even within a royal institution, frustrations over workload and fairness can arise. Princess Anne’s quiet irritation speaks volumes—not just about her own immense dedication, but perhaps about a need to reexamine how royal duties are shared.
Might it be time to bring more hands on deck? Could Queen Camilla and Princess Kate help bear the weight in the years to come? If so, that would not only ease the burden on a tireless Princess Anne but also offer a symbolic shift toward a more collaborative and adaptable royal family.
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