What Exactly Are Prince Charles’s Royal Duties While He Waits to Become King?

It’s no secret that when Queen Elizabeth ends her reign as monarch, her eldest child is next in line for the throne. In 2018, the longest-standing British ruler, 94, issued a formal request for the Commonwealth Heads of Government to appoint her son Prince Charles as her successor. So, it’s really official. 

“It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations and will decide that one day the Prince of Wales should carry on the important work started by my father in 1949,” she said during an official Buckingham Palace meeting.

But, until then, what exactly are his royal highness’s duties? We’re breaking down all of the deets. 

According to the official Prince of Wales website, Prince Charles’s main job as heir to the throne is supporting Queen Elizabeth “as the focal point for national pride, unity and allegiance and bringing people together across all sections of society, representing stability and continuity, highlighting achievement, and emphasizing the importance of service and the voluntary sector by encouragement and example.” Sounds easy enough. 

Well, for the most part, he attends events (think state dinners and official ceremonies) in honor of his mother. However, the 71-year-old royal doesn’t only also represent Her Majesty nationally, he also does so overseas, by attending state and ceremonial occasions and going on royal tours. 

Of course not. He also does work with the armed services and is patron or president of more than 400 (yes, you read that correctly) organizations, including the Botanic Gardens Conservation International and the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts. 

Looks like Charles has plenty to keep him busy before he officially becomes king.