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From The Times
December 31, 2007

Royal engagements in 2007

A round-up of the Royal Family's working year

Sir, I have carried out a survey of the official engagements undertaken by the Royal Family during 2007 as reported in the Court Circular.

It is remarkable that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, in the year of their diamond wedding, have continued their busy working life, with Her Majesty actually increasing the number of engagements compared with those in 2006.

Prince William carried out 16 engagements and Prince Harry 12, which included 5 overseas. The Duchess of Cornwall’s operation and the Countess of Wessex’s pregnancy were the reasons for their fewer official engagements during 2007. The Duke of York was again busy travelling abroad as special representative for trade and investment, which accounted for 75 per cent of his overseas engagements.

I should emphasise that the figures should not be converted into a “league table” of royal performance. All engagements differ as to time and content and there is also the time taken in preparation, whether it be a visit, investiture or speech.

Except for Christmas Day and Easter Day, the Queen never has a day off from the official red boxes that pursue her everywhere.

Tim O’Donovan
Datchet, Berks

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