Who Are The Working Royals?

The new royal portrait has raised some question about who's who in the new, slimmed-down monarchy...

Who are the working royals?

by Millie Payne |
Published on

After a historic weekend celebrating the coronation of King Charles III, the royal family has released the official portraits from the occasion.

High society photographer Hugo Burnand captured the images in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace following Saturday's ceremony.

For one shot, the new monarch and his wife, Queen Camilla, were joined by the other working members of the family - a moment which has been viewed, to date, over 3 million times on Twitter. While some key figures, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales are well known, some other members of the new, slimmed-down monarchy are more elusive.

So, as the portrait has spiked search around the 'working royals,' we have explored who are the pivotal players in supporting King Charles III and Queen Camilla as the royal family enters a new reign.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

A first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Kent, 87, obtained his title aged just six when his father, Prince George, died in a plane crash in 1942. His mother, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, was a Greek princess by birth but a British one via marriage.

He served in the British Army for just over two decades (1955-1976) after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as a second lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys.

As well as being involved with over 140 charitable organisations - where much of his work revolves around war remembrance, technology, and the growth of British industry - the Duke of Kent had a long-standing presidency of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, where he presented the trophies to the Wimbledon champion and runner-up.

Today, he splits his time between patronage engagements and supporting The King.

He is married to Katharine, Duchess of Kent, and they have three children: George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, 60, Lady Helen Taylor, 59 and Lord Nicholas Windsor, 52.

Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy

Aged 86, Alexandra is Edward's younger sister and a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, too. They also have a younger brother Michael, 80.

At the time of her birth, she was sixth in line to the throne but is now - to date - 56th.

Her interests are wide-ranging, spanning from the arts to health care - reflected in the fact she is patron or president of over 100 organisations.

She was unwavering in her support towards her late cousin and regularly attends momentous occasions alongside other members of the royal family.

Alexandra married Angus Ogilvy in 1963, before he died in 2004. They had two children, James Ogilvy, 59, and Marina, 56.

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester

The Duke of Gloucester, 78, is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. His parents were Prince Henry and Princess Alice.

He practised architecture, but the death of his older brother William in 1972 positioned him in direct line to inherit his father's dukedom of Gloucester. He assumed it two years later.

Prince Richard carries out a multitude of public duties and official engagements in the UK and overseas each year. Much of his work is tied to both personal and professional interests, which include international humanitarian issues, heritage and the built environment and military veterans.

He married Birgitte in 1972 and they have three children: Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, 48, Lady Davina Windsor, 45 and Lady Rose Gilman, 43.

The Duchess of Gloucester - who hails from Denmark - has accompanied her husband on many of his official visits but she is linked to several charities and organisations of her own, including the Lawn Tennis Association, The Children's Society and Parkinson's UK.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester ©Getty

Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence

Timothy is the husband of Anne, Princess Royal - King Charles' only sister.

The 68 year old is a retired Royal Navy officer and was previously equerry to Queen Elizabeth II from 1986 until 1989. This 'officer-of-honour' role essentially meant he was a royal assistant to the late monarch.

His endeavours now include non-executive and charitable interests, with a special focus on property and regeneration.

Anne, Princess Royal

Born 15 August 1950, Anne is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. She has been Princess Royal since 1987 and has frequently been dubbed the 'hardest working royal'.

She met Timothy during his duties as equerry in the 80s and they married in 1992 - months after she divorced her first husband Captain Mark Phillips. Anne and Mark have two children: Peter Phillips, 45 and Zara Tindall, 41.

She is renowned for her love of horses and her equestrian career took her to the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.

Anne has one of the busiest schedules out of anyone in the royal family and has been undertaking public work since she was 18. Astonishingly, she is involved with over 300 charities.

She has been President of Save the Children UK since 1970, whose projects have seen her visit places such as China and The Philippines.

William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales

Formerly the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William is the heir apparent as the first son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, while Kate, as his wife, is likely to be the next Queen Consort.

Their paths crossed at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001, where they both studied art history before William switched to Geography. They wed in 2011.

They are parents to Prince George of Wales, nine, Princess Charlotte of Wales, eight and five-year-old Prince Louis of Wales, who will no doubt follow suit in becoming working royals.

The Wales' profile will continue to grow over the coming years. William, 40 and Kate, 41, currently carry out vital engagements and royal tours, with their job load likely to increase considering his position in the line of succession.

They are the current patrons of The Royal Foundation, whose projects centre around conservation, environmental issues, early childhood development, mental health and the emergency services.

Prince William and Kate
Prince William and Kate ©Getty

Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh, 59, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, making him a brother to the King.

He briefly worked in the Royal Marines but went on to pursue a career as a theatre production assistant at the Really Useful Theatre Company. He formed his own company, Ardent Productions, but stepped down in 2002 to commit to full-time duties as a working member of the royal family.

His extensive charity work focuses on the arts, athletics, and the development of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which focuses on fitness, wellbeing and community service.

He and Sophie tied the knot in 1999 and went on to welcome two children: Lady Louise Windsor, 19 and James, Earl of Wessex, 15.

Sophie, 58, devotes her time to working on behalf of the King, as well as showing support for a number of charities. She is a big advocate for equality for women.

Prince Edward and Sophie
Prince Edward and Sophie
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