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In this day and age it can seem a bit like the British royal family is a bit obsolete. The country holds elections and is actually run by a legislative body, and they have a justice system, so…what do the Queen and the rest of her brood actually do for Merry Old England?
Well, it’s actually more than you might think (though whether they’re actually earning their enormous salaries is still very much up for debate).
Queen Elizabeth II
Most of what she does now involves entertaining heads of state at parties and on diplomatic trips, but before the 93-year-old monarch donned the crown she was part of the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service during WWII.
She worked as a mechanic and truck driver while in the military, and is the only female in the royal family to have served in the armed forces.
Prince Philip
The Queen’s husband of over 70 years, Philip not only accompanies her to her many engagements but also attends thousands on his own.
Self-styled as the “world’s most experienced plaque unveiler,” he also works with multiple charity organizations.
Prince Charles and Camilla
Their official job description is “undertaking official Royal duties in support of Her Majesty The Queen and on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, working as a charitable entrepreneur, by supporting charitable and civil causes which promote positive social and environmental outcomes and promoting and protecting national traditions, virtues, and excellence.”
Not exactly something you can apply for, but Charles also undertakes diplomatic duties overseas and is a well-known environmentalist. Camilla also supports many charities.
Prince William and Duchess Kate
Aside being busy parents to three young kids, William and Kate are seeing their royal duties increase as the Queen ages.
They go on international royal tours, leaving Wills less time to work as an air ambulance pilot.
Both graduated from St. Andrews University with honors, and before they married, Kate worked as an assistant accessories buyer for a London store before studying portrait photography and dabbling in a cake company.
Princess Anne
She’s an Olympian as an equestrian, and attended more domestic and international engagements than any other royal in 2018.
She’s a grandmother to 5.
Prince Andrew
He’s no longer working as the U.K.’s special representative for international trade and investment, but continues to take on royal duties and supports “charities of his own choosing.”
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
Andrews daughters have real-world jobs – Eugenie is a director at the art gallery Hauser and Wirth and Beatrice is a vice president of partnerships and strategy at Afiniti. The two appear at family occasions and at some Palace receptions, but they’re largely “working girls who have jobs,” according to a source. Both have college degrees.
So, there you have it. They’re living their best lives (especially Beatrice and Eugenie, if you ask me) and doing what they can to leave their country and the world a little better than they found it.
Basically, they’re just like the rest of us, but with more money and a bigger house.
Oh, and a lot more fans.
