Princess Anne: How is she stepping up in Prince Andrew’s absence?
Princess Anne has long operated as one of the most consistent figures in the working royal roster, and that role has grown even more pronounced in recent years. Her brother Prince Andrew stepped back from public duties after the Epstein scandal surfaced, and subsequent developments have kept that withdrawal in place. The shift has left Anne carrying a heavier share of engagements and representation without any sign of slowing down.
Ditching the royal duties
Prince Andrew’s public role ended after links to Jeffrey Epstein became impossible to ignore. Reports placed him on Epstein’s private island multiple times, and Virginia Roberts Giuffre accused him of sexual assault. A 2019 interview in which he discussed the friendship but offered little acknowledgment of victims sealed the decision. Andrew stepped back from royal duties, and the arrangement has remained permanent. Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022. Under King Charles, Andrew was stripped of his titles and now appears publicly as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. In February 2026 he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office connected to the Epstein files and later released under investigation. He has also been excluded from events such as Garter Day.
A princely promotion
The honorary Royal Navy promotion planned for Andrew’s 60th birthday never took place. The deferral became permanent once his public duties ended, and the removal of his titles under King Charles ended any remaining military standing. Andrew no longer holds prince status or active royal military rank.
Princess Anne keeps busy
Anne’s workload has stayed high since the 2020 military promotions that named her a general in the Army and air chief marshal in the Royal Air Force. Those ranks remain active, and she continues as Colonel of the Blues and Royals. In 2025 she completed 478 engagements, second only to King Charles. She serves as patron or president of more than 300 organizations and has made clear she has no plans to retire. Recent charity work includes a 2026 statement as president of the Carers Trust on support for unpaid caregivers.
Royal support
Family statements after the initial scandal came from Buckingham Palace under Queen Elizabeth II. Since her death, King Charles has kept Andrew’s public presence limited while the Epstein questions continue. Anne has filled structural gaps without fanfare, maintaining the schedule that has defined her work for decades.
Anne's Enduring Workload Under King Charles
Anne’s annual calendar has shown no reduction since the slimmed-down monarchy took shape. The 478 engagements recorded in 2025 reflect steady travel between official duties, investitures, and commemorations. Her portfolio of more than 300 patronages covers military, agricultural, and health causes. She has repeated that retirement is not on the table, and the numbers bear that out year after year.
Overseas Representation and Tours
Anne regularly travels abroad on behalf of the United Kingdom and King Charles. In 2025 and 2026 she visited Greece, South Korea, and Thailand for state events and charity work. She also attended the 80th anniversary commemorations marking the liberation of Guernsey and Sark. These trips add an international layer to the domestic schedule she already maintains at high volume.
Andrew's Further Diminished Status
Andrew’s position inside the family has narrowed further since 2020. Title removal removed the formal prince designation. The February 2026 arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied directly to Epstein material. Restrictions on attendance at certain ceremonial events have followed. The cumulative effect keeps his public profile minimal while Anne continues the engagements that once fell to a broader roster.
Military and Charitable Continuity
Anne’s military affiliations have remained constant. She retains the ranks of General and Air Chief Marshal and continues as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, appearing in uniform at regimental events. On the charitable side she leads the Carers Trust and issued a public statement in 2026 underlining the need for sustained support for unpaid caregivers. These roles extend the pattern of steady service that began long before the current family adjustments.
