London, Dec 31 : Prince Charles has trounced his younger sister Princess Anne Valentine Low to become the hardest working member of the Royal Family.

The Prince of Wales, for the first time in years, has carried out more engagements in the past 12 months than Princess Royal.

According to figures compiled by Times reader Tim O'Donovan, the Princess carried out 534 official engagements during the year, while Prince Charles carried out a total of 560.

"He has just pipped his sister," Times Online quoted O'Donovan, who has been compiling his annual survey of royal engagements as listed in the Court Circular for the past 30 years as saying.

"He has gone into the lead," he added.

However, when it comes to hard work on the ground, the Princess still remains at the top.

"The Prince of Wales does a huge amount of meetings and audiences, while the Princess Royal spends a lot of time out and about," said O'Donovan.

"She is incredible - she really gets down to it. And she is obviously very good at it," he added.

While, the Princess carried out nearly twice as many official visits, opening ceremonies and other engagements as the Prince, 299 against 166, on the other hand the Prince carried out more investitures, meetings and audiences - 193 against 74.

The Duke of York carried out the largest number of overseas engagements, with 293.

The Queen carried out 417 engagements, Prince William carried out 24 engagements and Prince Harry 17 including two overseas engagements. (ANI)