Prince Edward is currently taking a short break from royal duties after his recent trips to South Africa and St Helena.
The Duke of Edinburgh's next scheduled engagement is for February 8, 2024, according to the Royal Diary on The Royal Family's website.
But taking a break from royal duties leaves very few senior working royals left to undertake royal duties, given King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales are currently out of action.
The King is recovering from a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate and is expected to take a month off from public engagements, though he is carrying out his stately duties from home.
Kate meanwhile will not return to duties for some time following her planned abdominal surgery on January 16. She spent 13 days in hospital and is now recovering at home in Windsor. She is not expected to be back at work until after Easter.
Prince William has also taken out time out as he prioritises his wife and three children. He is expected to return to royal duties shortly, once Kate is settled at home.
Due to the absences, royal duties are left to just a handful of royals, with Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Edward's wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, picking up the bulk of engagements.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra are also working royals but they carry out few engagements and have become increasingly frail in recent years.
As a result, do you think it is right that Prince Edward takes a break from royal duties, leaving just three royals to carry out official duties? Vote in our poll below.
