In a stunning shift within the British royal family, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, is quickly rising through the ranks as one of the hardest-working royals. For years, Princess Anne held the unofficial title as the most dedicated member of the royal family, known for her tireless work ethic. However, recent developments suggest Sophie may be poised to overtake Anne in royal engagements. Could the Duchess be on the path to becoming the hardest-working royal? Let’s delve into Sophie’s remarkable rise and explore the reasons behind her growing prominence.
Sophie has always been known for her dedication, but 2023 has been a defining year. In September alone, she more than doubled the number of engagements she completed compared to the same period last year. While she managed 18 engagements in September 2022, this year she has taken on an impressive 38. In contrast, Princess Anne, who typically leads in royal duties, has seen a drop in her numbers. Last September, Anne completed 20 engagements, but this year, she has only managed 13. The question is, what’s driving this sudden shift?
A series of health issues among senior royals has reshaped the landscape. Both King Charles and the Princess of Wales, Catherine, have stepped back from public duties after receiving treatment for undisclosed forms of cancer. Princess Anne, too, had to take a break earlier this year after suffering a serious head injury caused by a horse kick. With key figures temporarily sidelined, Sophie has risen to the occasion, taking on more responsibilities and filling the gaps left by her fellow royals.
At 59, Sophie has proven to be a formidable force within the royal family. A palace insider even referred to her as the monarchy’s “secret weapon,” highlighting how she’s been tirelessly working to maintain the family’s public presence. Whether it’s domestic engagements or international visits, Sophie has been everywhere. Earlier this month, she made a touching visit to the Hail Community Center in Farnham, spent time at the Main Chance Animal Sanctuary, and supported Parity for Disability. One of her standout appearances was at the Domaine Evremond Winery, marking her 38th engagement of the month.
But Sophie’s influence isn’t confined to the UK. She made royal history last year by becoming the first member of the family to visit Baghdad, Iraq, and has been involved in raising awareness about trachoma, a preventable disease that causes blindness, during her travels to Tanzania. Her dedication to international causes has made a lasting impact, setting her apart from her peers.
Despite these accomplishments, Sophie still has some ground to cover to catch up to Princess Anne. In 2023, Anne led the pack with 212 engagements, while Sophie completed a respectable 114. Nevertheless, with her rising number of duties and the ongoing health challenges of senior royals, it’s clear Sophie is making significant strides.
Looking ahead, Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, are set for a busy schedule, with plans to travel to Malta for a series of royal engagements. Their dedication to supporting the monarchy’s efforts both within the Commonwealth and abroad signals that Sophie’s influence will only continue to grow.
So, could Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, ultimately surpass Princess Anne as the hardest-working royal? With her unrelenting work ethic and increasing number of engagements, Sophie is certainly making a name for herself within the royal family. Whether she will completely overtake Anne’s legendary status remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Sophie’s star is on the rise, and the royal family is all the better for it.
