Prince Charles, 71, attended more public engagements than any other royal in 2019, making him this year’s hardest-working royal. The count has been carried out annually by The Times reader Tim O’Donovan since 1979 who found that this year Charles beat his industrious sister Princess Anne to earn the title.

According to Mr O’Donovan’s calculations, Prince Charles attended an impressive 521 functions out of the royal family’s total 3,567.

Princess Anne conducted 506 engagements, Prince Edward had 308 and at 93 Queen Elizabeth II still managed 295.

In recent years the Queen has handed over an increasing number of royal responsibilities and patronages to younger family members.

Prince Charles has ramped up his role and his growing responsibility is a sure sign the heir apparent is preparing for his future role as king.

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Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “Prince Charles with 521 engagements and the Princess Royal with 506 top the lists as the hardest working royals this year.

“They usually have the busiest schedules and the fact that he is the busiest lays emphasis on his preparation for kingship.”

According to Mr Fitzwilliams, Prince Philip’s retirement in 2017 and Prince Andrew’s withdrawal from his royal role in November have added to the potential workload of the younger royals.

He said: “With the retirement of the Duke of Edinburgh in 2017 and Andrew stepping down from royal duties and bound to lose most if not all his patronages, the spotlight will be on the Cambridges and Sussexes to increase their workload.”

Mr Fitzwilliams was also keen to stress that numbers are not the only indicator of commitment and suggested in future royals may have fewer patronages but dedicate more time to them.

He said: ‘Numbers are not related to commitment, however, the younger royals tend to be choosing fewer, but doing more for those they choose.”

He added Prince Charles may opt for a “slimmed down” monarchy when he becomes king and have fewer full-time members of the Royal Family.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “It follows from this however that calls for a ‘slimmed down’ royal family must take into account that the royals would invariably do less than the 3,500 engagements annually currently carried out for 3,000 institutions, organisations etc to which they are attached.

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“Royal patronages give a charity a unique cachet, also they increase its profile, help its pulling power as prices for functions rise if a royal is present and often give it access to historic venues for events.”

Mr Fitzwilliams claimed a smaller core of working royals could potentially cut out Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

He said: “What appears more likely than a “slimmed down monarchy” is a smaller inner core limited to the line of succession including, in time, William and Kate’s family.

“Much will depend on what direction the Sussexes go with their new Foundation.

“They made it clear they were stressed and felt pressurised with royal life in the documentary which followed their trip to Southern Africa.”

Mr Fitzwilliams called the Queen as “phenomenal” for still managing the number of engagements she does.

He said: “The Queen, who is 94 in April, has carried out nearly 300 engagements which is truly phenomenal.

“The benefit we have from having a royal family which has the profile ours has and which has the pulling power to help charities that they are attached to is indeed, to quote from scripture, ‘far beyond rubies’.”

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