Royals Who Work A Regular Job
Being a royal comes with certain perks. You get to attend lavish soirées, wear fancy clothes, and possibly even live in a palace. Moreover, everybody else in the world is totally obsessed with you. Ever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle defected from the British royal family, though, the curtain has been lifted ever so slightly, giving normal folks a fleeting glimpse at what it truly means to be royalty — particularly since the celebrity couple had to get real jobs after being cut off (via BBC News).
It might shock you to learn, then, that there are plenty of royals employed all over the world. Granted, most of them aren't doing manual labor, but it's still pretty remarkable to consider that someone born into a position of such immense privilege would choose to work even if they don't have to. Sometimes it's a result of circumstance or, in the case of at least one entry on this list, the royal in question felt a duty to lend their skills to a desperate situation. These are royals who work regular jobs.
Princess Beatrice is a VP at a software company
There's a reason you don't see Princess Beatrice on official outings like her cousin Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton — she doesn't have to. Princess Beatrice isn't a "working royal" and isn't paid by the Sovereign Grant that funds the members of the royal family who do work for the queen full-time, according to Good Housekeeping. Instead, after Princess Beatrice completed her degree in history at Goldsmiths, University of London, she entered the workforce and got a regular job.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Beatrice worked as an analyst for Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. until 2015 and, in 2016, she became the vice president of partnerships and strategy at software company Afiniti. According to the company's site, "Beatrice is responsible for the management of the strategic Afiniti partnerships as well as company growth through unique initiatives and client development."
Beatrice's father, Prince Andrew, was nothing but supportive of both Beatrice and her sister's occupations. He revealed in a statement to People, "As a father, my wish for my daughters is for them to be modern working young women, who happen to be members of the Royal Family, and I am delighted to see them building their careers."
Princess Eugenie is the director of an art gallery
Princess Eugenie followed in her older sister's footsteps and became a "modern working young [woman]" like the girls' father wanted. The youngest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson earned a degree from Newcastle University in English literature, art history, and politics back in 2012. After her studies, Eugenie moved to New York in 2013 to get a regular job. According to Us Weekly, she began working for auction house Paddle8.
After a couple of years in the United States, Princess Eugenie moved back to London to work for the art gallery Hauser & Wirth, a representative for the gallery told Hello! magazine. Princess Eugenie explained her responsibilities to Harper's Bazaar, saying, "Part of my job is planning special projects, supporting the artists in the gallery and managing events."
Eugenie went on to say that she's always loved art. "I knew I definitely wouldn't be a painter [laughs], but I knew this was the industry for me. I love being able to share my passion for art with people," she said. "If someone doesn't understand something, you have the ability to suggest, 'Maybe you can look at it this way.' That's what I find most thrilling about working in a gallery."
Peter Phillips founded a sports and entertainment agency
Peter Phillips is probably a name unfamiliar to those without knowledge of the intricate inner-workings of the royal family. When he was born, his mother – the queen's only daughter, Princess Anne — rejected the offer of a royal title for her children, according to BBC News, likely in an effort to give them a normal childhood. While Phillips has undoubtedly gone on to lead a relatively quiet life compared to the more high-profile members of his family, there's no way to say whether his lack of a title helped in that matter.
After earning a degree in Sports Science from the University of Exeter in 2000, Phillips' Linkedin profile reveals that he went on to get a regular job or, rather, series of jobs. He held positions at Jaguar, Williams Racing, and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
In 2012, Phillips became the Managing Director at sports and entertainment company SEL UK Ltd. According to the company's website, Phillips is responsible for increasing "the commercial value for both sports and entertainment rights holders in the U.K., whilst delivering world class events to London."
Princess Michael of Kent is an accomplished writer
Princess Michael of Kent is married to the queen's first cousin, Prince Michael. As members of the extended royal family, the couple does not perform official royal duties or receive public funding, according to Town & Country. However, Princess Michael and her husband support the queen at some events and act as patrons of several charitable organizations.
While Princess Michael does have a more regular job than working royals, her job is unique compared to other non-working royals' positions. According to her website, the princess has released multiple books, including works of historical nonfiction and "The Anjou Trilogy," a fictional series. In addition to her books, Princess Michael has had an extensive career as a lecturer.
Before she became a royal and accomplished author, though, Princess Michael was an interior designer. She even ran her own interior design company, Szapar Designs, according to her site.
Zara Tindall is an equestrian champion
Zara Tindall, Princess Anne's daughter and Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, followed in her mother's footsteps and became an accomplished equestrian, even winning a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics in London, according to Hello! magazine. Though her racing days aren't yet behind her, as of this writing, Tindall started a new role in 2019 that is quite perfect for someone who has dedicated so much of their life to equestrianism.
According to Devon Live, Tindall became a director at the Cheltenham Racecourse. Of her new regular job, Tindall said, "I'm passionate about horse racing, particularly on the Jumps side, and the absolute pinnacle of that is Cheltenham. Racing is simply the most exciting sport and it's open to all." She continued, saying, "It's an honour to have been asked by Martin St Quinton on behalf of The Jockey Club to get involved in a more formal capacity and I look forward to doing my bit to support the executive team in the years to come."
Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece founded a clothing line
The members of Greece's royal family don't receive quite as much media attention as their British counterparts, which has likely aided in Princess Marie-Chantal's quiet success. Before the princess was set up on a date with the Crown Prince of Greece, she was a high school student, passionate about art and beginning an internship with Andy Warhol, according to The New York Times. However, Marie-Chantal's royal courtship didn't mean an end to her studies. In fact, it was just the opposite.
Marie-Chantal told Vanity Fair, "When I was pregnant, I started to get itchy feet again. And I was desperate to do something on my own merit." That itchy feeling led her to launch her own line of children's clothing. As of this writing, the company, also named Marie-Chantal, ships to over 45 countries, with Marie-Chantal serving as both the CEO and the creative director, according to the company's LinkedIn page.
Of the company, Marie-Chantal also told Vanity Fair, "The business is what makes me me. That's why I called it Marie-Chantal — with no 'princess' or anything." She continued, saying of her regular job, "It gives me my independence. It gives me incredible pleasure and focus. And it belongs to me 100 percent."
David Linley owns a furniture company
David Linley, the son of Princess Margaret and photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, has lived a much quieter life than his notorious parents. His name hardly (if ever) makes headlines the way the working royals' do, allowing Linley to focus on his passion he's had since he was a child: furniture making.
According to Vanity Fair, as a child, Linley loved to be in his father's rooms — and not just because of the beautiful models who were often around having their photos taken by Armstrong-Jones. Linley recalled to Vanity Fair that he loved the "avant-garde" furniture his father made and that love of furniture ultimately led him to his professional endeavor: opening an eponymous furniture company.
While in the past, and growing up, Linley made many of his pieces himself, he was honest about his current role to Vanity Fair, saying: "I'm sort of the enabler. I'll look at a space and I'll put furniture ideas in it. But I very much try to encourage the next generation of designers to come through. That I like doing. That's exciting."
Prince Joachim of Denmark is a farmer
Prince Joachim of Denmark is not likely to rule the Danish throne. However, according to the Danish royal family's website, he sometimes acts as regent when his mother, the queen, and his older brother, the heir apparent, are abroad. Because he is further down the line of succession and doesn't have the weight of the monarchy resting on his shoulders, he's likely had ample time to pursue his interests and get a regular job.
Before beginning a military career, Prince Joachim worked on a farm and studied "agrarian economics," according to the Danish royal family's site. Then, the prince went on to embark on a long military career that eventually led to him becoming a lieutenant colonel in 2011.
Despite his extensive military background, Prince Joachim's interest in farming never went away. In fact, according to the family's site, Prince Joachim owns and runs "farming and forestry operations," which primarily center on industrial agriculture.
In September 2021, the prince started work at the Danish Embassy to France as a defense attaché, according to the Daily Mail. "I feel ready for the post after finishing a demanding year of study at the Center des Hautes Etudes Militaires in June," he shared in a post on Instagram. "A lot of exciting tasks lie ahead for the Armed Forces and for Denmark."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have multiple projects lined up
After stepping down from their positions as full-time working royals in early 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle scrambled to figure out how to be financially independent. Thankfully, there was plenty of demand for content from the Sussexes. As the New York Post reported, they signed a massive $25 million deal with Spotify to produce forward-thinking podcasts. However, per The Irish Sun, there were issues when, over a year later, just one short episode had been released. Producers were brought in to get Meghan and Harry back on track, and in March 2022, a teaser was released for a podcast, hosted by the duchess, due to drop sometime in summer.
Regardless, the Sussexes also have their multimillion-dollar Netflix deal to fall back on. The New York Times confirmed Meghan and Harry signed on through their production company, Archewell Productions. "Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope," they said in a statement.
Elsewhere, Harry joined Silicon Valley start-up BetterUp Inc. He told The Wall Street Journal (via Elle UK), "I intend to help create [an] impact in people's lives."
Meghan Markle has also dipped her toe back into acting
Prior to joining the royal family, Meghan Markle was a working actor with a decent amount of roles under her belt. Markle made her onscreen debut in the '90s, but her work ethic was established much earlier. Per The Mirror, as an ambitious young teenager, she earned minor ducats at a local frozen yogurt shop. Markle's adult years were filled with bit parts in the likes of "General Hospital" and "CSI: NY," while she also featured briefly opposite Robert Pattinson in romantic weepie "Remember Me." Her biggest role to date was in "Suits."
Upon becoming a duchess, Markle left the show, explaining during a joint interview with Harry that she wanted to focus on making a difference instead (via Harper's Bazaar). However, when she and Harry stepped down, there was speculation Markle might return to Hollywood. In March 2020, Town & Country reported the former actor had lent her pipes to "Elephants," a Disney+ documentary. The duchess actually signed a voiceover deal with the conglomerate to benefit conservation organization Elephants Without Borders.
It may not have the glamour of "Suits," but the job's a long way from the yogurt shop.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, runs multiple businesses
Sarah Ferguson isn't technically a royal anymore since, as she split from Prince Andrew all the way back in 1992. The former couple still lives together and the Duchess of York frequently attends events alongside other members of the monarchy, so she's still largely considered royalty. However, unlike many other British royals, Ferguson still works.
The duchess truly grafted her whole life, with The Mirror reporting that she told Swedish TV show "Skavlan" all about being a teenage cleaner and working as a waitress over the years. Ferguson quipped, "Then I married a prince, it was great." These days, despite no longer being an official royal, Ferguson has a more glamorous role.
Per Express, she has several businesses. Ferguson is also a successful author, penning children's books as well as several autobiographies. Likewise, the duchess notably has many charitable initiatives, partnering her foundation with Street Child in 2018. Daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, meanwhile, are ambassadors.
Ferguson also reportedly holds a helicopter license, if she ever needs another side hustle.
Princess Sofia of Sweden works in a local hospital
With the COVID-19 pandemic raging, Princess Sofia of Sweden proved she was truly a woman of the people by rolling up her sleeves and getting to work. As People reported, Sofia completed an intensive online training course so she could help out at Sophiahemmet Hospital, where she was already Honorary Chair. Sofia posed for photos wearing scrubs and sneakers, with her hair pulled back from her face and the requisite ID tag proudly displayed.
Although Sofia, obviously, couldn't perform any medical procedures, she was expected to pitch in with hospital staff wherever she was needed. The hospital, much like many medical institutions all over the world, was overwhelmed with patients thanks to the deadly virus. They launched an emergency training program in a desperate bid for help and Sofia, surprisingly, answered the call, thereby inspiring dozens of other citizens to do so.
As Town & Country previously reported, she may be glamorous, but Sofia has long been considered the "toughest member of the Swedish royal family," even gamely completing a difficult Tough Viking challenge that was compared to America's Tough Mudder event. Evidently, she's not afraid of getting her hands dirty.
Prince Nikolai of Denmark is an in-demand model
Okay, being a model isn't exactly a "regular" job, but it appears to be considerably more work than simply being a full-time royal. Prince Nikolai of Denmark is an in-demand model who, per The Independent, has his parents' full backing to work however he pleases. In fact, his dad, Prince Joachim, told Danish news site Billed Bladet, "Nikolai's future shall be conducted entirely by his own plan."
He reportedly signed to local agency Scoop Models in 2018, and he has already graced the runways of London Fashion Week, walking alongside the high-profile likes of Cara Delevingne. The Evening Standard reported that Nikolai also walked in Dior's Pre-Fall 2019 show in Tokyo, after notably opening Kim Jones' debut menswear showcase for the iconic brand shortly beforehand. Clearly, he is in huge demand.
Although Nikolai doesn't stand to inherit any money from his parents, they will cover his educational costs. In 2019, it was reported that the prince intended to pursue a degree at Copenhagen Business School, telling Danish publication Tæt på (via Hola!), "I do not want a career as a model. I'd rather look at it as a job, which can help me along the way while educating me."