Princess Anne grows frustrated as William skips key royal responsibilities
While Queen Camilla and Princess Catherine are two of the most visible figures in the monarchy, their absence from royal investiture ceremonies hasn't gone unnoticed — and there’s a deeper royal tradition behind it.
Investitures, where citizens are formally honored for their service and achievements, are a cornerstone of the monarchy's public role. Yet neither the Queen Consort nor the Princess of Wales currently take part in the tradition of hosting these ceremonies, despite their prominent roles and full royal diaries.
The reason lies in royal protocol. Traditionally, investitures are carried out by blood royals — and right now, only three members of the family are actively sharing that responsibility: King Charles, Prince William, and Princess Anne.
With the King undergoing cancer treatment and the Princess Royal shouldering one of the busiest schedules in the Firm, the workload is heavy — and the cracks are beginning to show.
Princess Anne, long regarded as the hardest-working royal, is reportedly frustrated that Prince William hasn't taken on more of the burden. According to The Times, the Princess is quietly irritated by the Prince of Wales's lack of presence at these formal events — especially considering her proximity to Windsor Castle, where many of them are held. "She is still doing most of the investitures even though William lives there. It annoys her," a source shared.
Although there's no strict rule banning royals by marriage from conducting investitures, the tradition leans heavily on those in the bloodline. Still, history provides exceptions: the Queen Mother hosted over 50 investitures during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and the late Prince Philip occasionally stepped in as well.
Given this precedent, Queen Camilla could take on the role if needed — especially with the King stepping back from certain duties during treatment. Her position as the monarch's consort could justify such a move, should the Firm decide to evolve with the times.
Catherine's chances, however, remain slim. As the spouse of the heir, she technically stands outside the direct line of succession. No royal wife in her position has ever conducted an investiture, making the prospect unlikely under current custom.
Still, with the monarchy adapting to changing circumstances and a leaner working royal roster, the question remains: will long-held traditions bend to meet the moment, or will Princess Anne continue to bear the brunt alone?
