Why Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton ‘can’t step in’ with Windsor Castle duty amid Princess Anne’s ‘annoyance’ with Prince William

The royals usually share out duties

Princess Anne is reportedly feeling “annoyed” with Prince William over a growing imbalance in royal duties at Windsor Castle, but Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton are currently unable to ease the load.

According to a source who reportedly spoke to The Sunday Times, the Princess Royal, 74, has taken on the majority of investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle, even though Prince William, 43, lives on the estate.

“She’s still doing most of the investitures [at Windsor] even though William lives there. It annoys her,” the insider claimed.
Princess Anne is reportedly “annoyed” by Prince William’s reluctance to perform investiture ceremonies (Credit: Cover Images)

Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton are unable to take on duty at Windsor Castle

Investitures are official ceremonies where members of the royal family present honours to individuals recognised in the UK’s honours lists, including CBEs, OBEs and MBEs.

These events happen around 30 times per year. However, currently only three royals are permitted to host them: King Charles, Prince William and Princess Anne.

While Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales are senior working royals, they are not yet performing investitures.

That may change in the future, as there is no official rule preventing royal spouses from leading these ceremonies.

During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, both her mother (the Queen Mother) and husband, Prince Philip, performed investitures on her behalf.

The Queen Mother is believed to have hosted more than 50 investiture ceremonies between the 1950s and 1980s.

Queen Camilla, as the monarch’s spouse, may eventually follow suit. However, there is no current evidence of a royal consort-in-waiting, like Princess Kate, ever hosting such ceremonies.
Princess Kate is currently unable to step in for her husband (Credit: Cover Images)

Princess Anne ‘annoyed’ with Prince William

Anne is known for her tireless work ethic. The Princess Royal has conducted more investitures than her brother or nephew in 2025.

According to a count by Gert’s Royals, she’s hosted 10 ceremonies this year, compared to King Charles’s six and Prince William’s five.

While Anne may be frustrated by the imbalance, sources say she remains loyal to William and will fully support him as sovereign one day.

However, the Prince of Wales did have an excuse for missing the latest ceremony on July 22. It was his eldest son Prince George’s 12th birthday.

William and Kate live at nearby Adelaide Cottage with their three children. They reportedly prioritise family time alongside their royal responsibilities.

Still, as King Charles continues cancer treatment, the pressure on the senior working royals has increased.

Princess Anne and Prince William have both stepped up in recent months, appearing together at major events including Trooping the Colour and the Order of the Garter ceremony.

As for Anne, insiders say she has no plans to slow down just yet.

“She has said her plan is to push on [with work] until she is 80. Then start winding down a bit, and then copy the [late] Duke of Edinburgh and wind down completely at 90,” one source told The Sunday Times.