Princess Anne discusses the possibility of retirement

Princess Anne said retirement “isn’t really an option” for members of the royal family.

The Princess Royal, 74, was asked about potential plans to merge royal duties interview with the Press association Published on Friday, January 24.

“I don’t think there’s a retirement program about this particular life,” she said. “It’s really not written, no. It’s not really an option, no, I don’t think so. “

Anne has long been considered the “hardest working” member of the British royal family. She completed 217 engagements in 2024 – the most of any royal that year – Daily mail reported. Her brother, King Charles IIIcompleted 186 engagements while undergoing cancer treatment, according to the outlet.

While most senior royals choose not to retire, it’s not completely unheard of –Queen Elizabeth II‘s husband, Prince Philipretired in 2017 at the age of 95.

“His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer be conducting public engagements from the autumn of this year,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement in May 2017. The statement added that he had “the Queen’s full support .”

Philip died at the age of 99 on April 9, 2021.

Although several modern European monarchs have abdicated or retired, it is not as common for senior members of the British Royal Family to do so.

The late Queen Elizabeth worked until her death on September 8, 2022. The monarch’s last royal engagement – a meeting with former British Prime Minister Liz Truss – came days before her death at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The Queen had been on the throne for more than 70 years, making her Britain’s longest-serving monarch. She was 96 at the time of her death.

Anne accompanied her mother’s coffin from Balmoral as it traveled across the UK to Edinburgh, Scotland and to London, England for funeral proceedings.

“I was lucky enough to share the last 24 hours of my dearest mother’s life. It was an honor and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys,” the Princess said in a statement on September 13, 2022.

“Witnessing the love and respect shown by so much on these trips is both humbling and uplifting. We will all share unique memories. I thank everyone who shares our sense of loss,” I added.

“We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we have taken for granted. I am also so grateful for the support and understanding provided by my dear brother Charles as he accepts the additional responsibilities of the monarch,” Anne continued. “To my mother, the Queen, thank you.”