Editing British royal family (section)

== Public role ==
[[File:HRH The Princess Royal visits Paisley. (10297783076).jpg|thumb|The Princess Royal meeting members of the public during a walkabout in [[Paisley, Renfrewshire]]|alt=Princess Anne speaking to a girl while on a public engagement]]

Members of the royal family support the monarch in "state and national duties", while also carrying out charity work of their own.<ref name=role/><ref name="gguards">{{cite news|work=The Guardian|last=Davies|first=Caroline |title=The royal we: subtle transition as ageing Queen devolves more duties|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/29/subtle-transition-as-ageing-queen-devolves-more-duties|access-date=15 November 2021|date=29 October 2021|archive-date=28 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328115953/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/29/subtle-transition-as-ageing-queen-devolves-more-duties|url-status=live}}</ref> If the sovereign is indisposed, two [[counsellors of state]] are required to fulfil his/her role, with those eligible being restricted to the sovereign's spouse, and the first four people in the line of succession over the age of 21. In 2022 the then [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|Earl of Wessex]] and the [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Royal]] were added to the list by special legislation.<ref name="counsellors">{{cite news|title=Princess Anne and Prince Edward to become stand-ins for King|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63626113|access-date=21 February 2023|work=BBC News|date=15 November 2022|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921115457/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63626113|url-status=live}}</ref>

Each year the family "carries out over 2,000 official engagements throughout the UK and worldwide", entertaining 70,000 guests and answering 100,000 letters.<ref name=role/><ref name="indies">{{cite news|last=Praderio|first=Caroline|title=Here's What The Royal Family Actually Does Every Day |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/what-royal-family-actually-does-every-day-a7540436.html|work=The Independent|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=10 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610104818/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/what-royal-family-actually-does-every-day-a7540436.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Engagements include state funerals, national festivities, garden parties, receptions, and visits to the [[British Armed Forces|Armed Forces]].<ref name=role>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/role-royal-family|title=The role of the Royal Family|date=23 March 2016|website=The Royal Family|access-date=30 June 2019|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808043840/https://www.royal.uk/role-royal-family|url-status=live}}</ref> Many members have served in the Armed Forces themselves, including the King's brothers and sons.<ref name="thisisthebbc"/><ref name="indies"/> Engagements are recorded in the [[Court Circular]], a list of daily appointments and events attended by the royal family.<ref>{{cite web|last=Said-Moorhouse |first=Laure|title=The Queen returns to royal duties following Prince Philip's death|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/14/uk/queen-first-in-person-engagement-philip-intl-gbr/index.html|work=CNN |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602123319/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/14/uk/queen-first-in-person-engagement-philip-intl-gbr/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Public appearances are often accompanied by walkabouts, where royals greet and converse with members of the public outside events.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lam|first=Katherine|title=Queen Elizabeth's daughter Princess Anne explains why she doesn't shake fans' hands|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/queen-elizabeths-daughter-princess-anne-explains-why-she-doesnt-shake-fans-hands|work=Fox News|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115061051/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/queen-elizabeths-daughter-princess-anne-explains-why-she-doesnt-shake-fans-hands|url-status=live}}</ref> The start of this tradition is sometimes attributed to a trip Queen Elizabeth II made in 1970 to Australia and New Zealand.<ref>[https://www.insider.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-invented-the-walkabout-modernized-monarchy-2022-6 Queen Elizabeth II invented the 'walkabout,' forever changing how royals interact with people]</ref> [[Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother]] also interacted with crowds on a trip to Canada in 1939 and in 1940 during [[The Blitz]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelist.com/1137036/royal-walkabouts-here-are-all-the-details-about-the-famous-tradition/|title=Royal Walkabouts: Here Are All The Details About The Famous Tradition|access-date=27 January 2023|archive-date=27 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127231053/https://www.thelist.com/1137036/royal-walkabouts-here-are-all-the-details-about-the-famous-tradition/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/where-and-how-did-the-queen-mum-invent-the-walkabout/article22395765/ |title=Where and how did the Queen Mum invent the walkabout?|access-date=27 January 2023|archive-date=27 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127231052/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/where-and-how-did-the-queen-mum-invent-the-walkabout/article22395765/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Annual events attended by the royal family include the [[State Opening of Parliament]], [[Trooping the Colour]], and the [[National Service of Remembrance]].<ref name="gguards"/> According to historian [[Robert Lacey]], Queen Elizabeth II once said that [[investiture]]s of the [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom|honours]] recipients are the most important thing she does.<ref name="Davies2"/> Besides the King, Prince William and Princess Anne also perform investitures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Investitures|url=https://www.royal.uk/investitures|publisher=The Royal Family|access-date=3 August 2020|archive-date=10 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810161429/https://www.royal.uk/investitures|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gguards"/> Family members represent the monarch on official visits and tours to other countries as ambassadors to foster diplomatic relations.<ref name="thisisthebbc">{{cite news|title=UK Royal Family: Who is in it and how does it work? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56201331|access-date=15 November 2021|work=BBC News|date=9 April 2021|archive-date=31 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731050659/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56201331|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="indies"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Royal diplomacy to play key role in life after Brexit |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2020-01-31/royal-diplomacy-to-play-key-role-in-life-after-brexit |work=ITV News |access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=1 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801081702/https://www.itv.com/news/2020-01-31/royal-diplomacy-to-play-key-role-in-life-after-brexit |url-status=live }}</ref> They have also attended [[The Commonwealth|Commonwealth]] meetings on the monarch's behalf.<ref name="gguards"/> The royal family also participates in [[state visits]] on the advice of the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]], which includes the welcoming of dignitaries and a formal banquet.<ref>{{cite web |title=State Visits |url=https://www.royal.uk/state-visits-2|website=The Royal Family|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=28 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728094545/https://www.royal.uk/state-visits-2|url-status=live }}</ref> Journalist [[James Forsyth (journalist)|James Forsyth]] has referred to the family as "[[soft power]] assets".<ref>{{cite news |last=Forsyth |first=James |title=Britain needs the royal family more than ever |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/britain-needs-the-royal-family-more-than-ever-p9322gw2g|access-date=15 November 2021|work=[[The Times]]|date=13 August 2021|archive-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115062548/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/britain-needs-the-royal-family-more-than-ever-p9322gw2g|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Prince William and John Hall.jpg|thumb|left|Prince William with the then-[[Dean of Westminster]] [[John Hall (priest)|John Hall]]. Members of the royal family are members of the [[Church of England]].]]
Given the royal family's public role and activities, it is sometimes referred to by courtiers as "The Firm", a term that originated with George VI.<ref name="ogara">{{cite news|last=O'Gara|first=Eilish|title=Financing the firm: how the royal family make their money |url=https://www.newsweek.com/financing-firm-how-royal-family-make-their-money-328393 |access-date=13 January 2020 |work=Newsweek |date=12 June 2015 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214071920/https://www.newsweek.com/financing-firm-how-royal-family-make-their-money-328393 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Culbertson |first=Alix |title=Harry and Meghan: What is 'the firm' and how does the Royal Family work? |url=https://news.sky.com/story/harry-and-meghan-what-is-the-firm-and-how-does-the-royal-family-work-12240948 |work=Sky News|access-date=15 November 2021|archive-date=15 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115061043/https://news.sky.com/story/harry-and-meghan-what-is-the-firm-and-how-does-the-royal-family-work-12240948 |url-status=live}}</ref> Members of the royal family are politically and commercially independent, avoiding conflict of interest with their public roles.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guy|first1=Guy|last2=Foster|first2=Max|last3=Said-Moorhouse|first3=Lauren|title=The Firm: Britain's royal 'institution' explained |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/08/uk/royal-family-structure-explainer-scli-intl-gbr/index.html |access-date=15 November 2021 |work=CNN|date=4 June 2021|archive-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628150450/https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/08/uk/royal-family-structure-explainer-scli-intl-gbr/index.html|url-status=live }}</ref> The royal family are considered British [[cultural icon]]s, with young adults from abroad naming the family among a group of people who they most associated with [[British culture]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Culture, attraction and soft power|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/as-others-see-us-report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031062218/http://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/as-others-see-us-report.pdf |archive-date=31 October 2015 |url-status=live|publisher=British Council|date=12 December 2016}}</ref> Members are expected to promote British industry.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baker |first=Lindsey |title=How royal women have shaped fashion |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180424-the-meghan-effect-is-nothing-new |work=BBC News|access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404225706/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180424-the-meghan-effect-is-nothing-new |url-status=live }}</ref> Royals are typically members of the [[Church of England]], headed by the monarch. When in Scotland they attend the Church of Scotland as members and some have served as [[Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland|Lord High Commissioner to the Church of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Booth|first=William|title=How the Church of England has shifted on divorce, from Henry VIII to Meghan Markle |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/how-the-church-of-england-has-evolved-on-divorce-from-henry-viii-to-meghan-markle/2018/05/15/85ca3388-4d6c-11e8-85c1-9326c4511033_story.html |access-date=15 November 2021 |newspaper=Washington Post|archive-date=10 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910005903/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/how-the-church-of-england-has-evolved-on-divorce-from-henry-viii-to-meghan-markle/2018/05/15/85ca3388-4d6c-11e8-85c1-9326c4511033_story.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Queen, the Church and other faiths |url=https://www.royal.uk/queens-relationship-churches-england-and-scotland-and-other-faiths |website=The Royal Family |access-date=15 November 2021 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810162529/https://www.royal.uk/queens-relationship-churches-england-and-scotland-and-other-faiths|url-status=live}}</ref>

Members of the royal family are patrons for approximately 3,000 charities,<ref name="indies"/> and have also started their own nonprofit organisations.<ref name="thisisthebbc"/> The King started [[The Prince's Trust]], which helps young people in the UK that are disadvantaged.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-the-trust/history|title=Our history {{!}} The Prince's Trust|website=www.princes-trust.org.uk|access-date=30 June 2019|archive-date=22 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722164705/https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about-the-trust/history|url-status=live}}</ref> Princess Anne started [[The Princess Royal Trust for Carers]], which helps unpaid carers, giving them emotional support and information about benefit claims and disability aids.<ref>A{{Cite web|url=https://carercentre.com/about-us/background|title=Background – The Princess Royal Trust For Carers – Hampshire Carer Centre|website=carercentre.com|access-date=30 June 2019|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126073830/https://carercentre.com/about-us/background|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Earl and Countess of Wessex (as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were then known) founded the Wessex Youth Trust, since renamed The Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust, in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust |url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1076003&subid=0 |website=Charity Commission for England and Wales |access-date=11 December 2020 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214071919/https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1076003&subid=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Prince and Princess of Wales are founding patrons of [[The Royal Foundation]], whose projects revolve around [[mental health]], conservation, early childhood, and [[Emergency medical services|emergency responders]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Work |url=https://royalfoundation.com/our-work/ |website=The Royal Foundation |access-date=11 December 2020 |archive-date=30 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130205529/https://royalfoundation.com/our-work/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2019, following the negative reactions to the "[[Prince Andrew & the Epstein Scandal]]" interview, the Duke of York was forced to resign from public roles; the retirement became permanent in 2020.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|first=Roya|last=Nikkhah|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/prince-andrew-didn-t-think-it-was-all-over-but-it-is-now-rhg2trxb7|title=Prince Andrew didn't think it was all over, but it is now|work=[[The Times]]|date=21 May 2020|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309013313/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prince-andrew-didn-t-think-it-was-all-over-but-it-is-now-rhg2trxb7|url-status=live}}</ref> The Duke and Duchess of Sussex [[Megxit|permanently withdrew]] from royal duties in early 2020.<ref name="BBC-final">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56127673|title=Harry and Meghan not returning as working members of Royal Family|work=BBC News|date=19 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304130733/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56127673|url-status=live}}</ref> Following these departures, there is a shortage of royal family members to cover the increasing number of patronages and engagements.<ref name="Davies1"/>