King Charles, William face questions over fewer engagements, rising costs

King Charles' modern monarchy faces growing criticism after newly released figures revealed a dramatic drop in royal engagements, despite the Royal Household receiving its biggest funding increase in years

Working members of the Royal Family carried out 2,273 official engagements last year, a significant drop from the 4,127 duties recorded in 2012, the busiest year of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Today's royal household consists of 11 working royals, compared with 15 in 2012, while King Charles has also reduced parts of his schedule as he continues cancer treatment.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have embraced a different style of royal service, focusing on long-term campaigns and causes rather than a packed calendar of traditional ribbon-cutting events.

Prince William and Princess Kate also spend around 16 weeks each year away from official duties during school holidays to prioritise time with their three children.

The Sovereign Grant, the public funding that supports the King's official duties and the maintenance of occupied royal palaces is set to rise to £100 million a year from 2027, more than triple the £31 million allocated in 2012.

King Charles and Queen Camilla completed 708 engagements last year. By comparison, Queen and Prince Philip carried out 808 official duties in 2003 when the late Queen was the same age as Charles is today, and continued undertaking around 800 engagements annually well into the following decade.

The funding increase has been approved by the Royal Trustees, with £25 million each year earmarked for repairs and renovations across the royal estate.

The programme will support the upkeep of 255 buildings, including several currently vacant properties, as the Royal Household also looks to increase rental income by leasing more of its estate.