Who are the current working royals in the UK?

The Queen has reduced the balcony party to working royals only (Picture: Getty)

Queen Elizabeth II made the bold decision to reduce the amount of royal family members invited to stand on Buckingham Palace’s balcony for this year’s Trooping the Colour.

Buckingham Palace said that the move to only include working royals was made ‘after careful consideration’.

But what exactly is a working royal – and who are the current working royals?

Here is everything you need to know.

What is a working royal?

A working royal is a member of the royal family who represents the Queen at official engagements.

In representing the Queen, a working royal will often perform any duties as needed including:

• Meeting with international dignitaries
• Hosting official state dinners and other events
• Attending parliamentary and constitutional functions
• Handing out honours
• Carrying out international trips and tours
• Opening buildings

The Queen was back to work welcoming the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola Cassis during an audience at Windsor Castle (Picture: Getty)

All of this is done on the Queen’s behalf – any event like this done in the name of another charity or organisation doesn’t count as a working royal’s duty.

This is why royals who are patrons to different charities might carry out lots of functions – like Princess Beatrice and Eugenie – but they aren’t considered a working royal. It must be on the Queen’s behalf.

Because being a working royal is considered a full-time job, living costs, accommodation, and any expenses not covered by the appropriate government department (such as overseas travel and security costs) are covered by the Queen.

The seniority of that working royal will be negotiated between the various government bodies, Buckingham Palace, ambassadors, or high commissioners in the overseas country to ensure that the person is of appropriate standing to achieve the task at hand.

William represented the Queen at the ANZAC Day memorial this year (Picture: Getty)

For the more important tasks, like receiving a president of a different nation, it’s likely the Queen or a direct heir will undertake the task.

The Queen pays working royals using the revenue of the Duchy of Lancaster, a private estate that has been part of the holdings of the monarch since Henry IV.

Who are the working royals today?

Based on who was invited to stand on the balcony, there are currently only 10 working royals.

Some royals might still work on a reduced basis, like Princess Alexandra of Kent, who limited duties over the past few years and is therefore not on the balcony, but her exact working status is unknown.

So, who are the confirmed, full-time working royals?

The Queen

The Queen has been serving as Head of State for a historic 70 years (Picture: Getty)

Obviously, Her Majesty is a working royal.

Having served for a history-making 70 years, 2022 is the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and Her Majesty is still carrying out royal duties.

Despite some health concerns of late, Her Majesty welcomed the President of Switzerland at Windsor Castle right after celebrating her 96th birthday this April.

The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles

Prince Charles is heir to the throne (Picture: Getty)

As next-in-line to the throne, Charles regularly represents the Queen in many of her official stately duties.

In fact, Charles is said to be on ‘stand by’ to represent the Queen at the opening of Parliament later this month.

The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla

Camilla will be the Queen Consort when Charles takes to the throne (Picture: Getty)

The Queen confirmed this year that Camilla will be Queen Consort when Prince Charles ascends to the throne.

As a working royal, Camilla often carries out duties either with Charles or alone.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton

William and Kate recently completed a royal tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen (Picture: Getty)

The future of the monarchy and second-in-line, Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, have stepped up in recent years to take on more royal duties on behalf of the Queen.

After backlash to their recent Caribbean tour, the couple are said to be planning a ‘royal reboot’ in the future.

Their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, will join them on the balcony for Trooping the Colour.

Anne, the Princess Royal

Anne is considered one of the hardest working royals (Picture: Getty)

Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter, is considered one of the hardest-working royals, regularly topping the list of most official engagements carried out annually.

This year, Anne took on a tour of Australia and is rumoured to become the first female head of the Marines.

Anne’s husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, is not a working royal but he will join Anne on the balcony for Trooping the Colour.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and Sophie

Edward and Sophie are working royals (Picture: Getty)

The Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie are working royals who regularly represent the Queen on various occasions.

Their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, are not working royals but they will join their parents on the balcony for Trooping the Colour.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince Richard and Birgitte

Prince Richard is the Queen’s first cousin (Picture: Getty)

Prince Richard might be a lesser-known royal to some but as the Queen’s first cousin, he has been a full-time working member of the Royal Family for years.

He, and his wife Birgitte, attend national and international events in support of The Queen and her duties as Head of State.

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