He's not even king yet! Prince Charles prepares to step back from charity duties as he approaches his 70th birthday

  • Clarence House says Charles is 'reviewing' charitable work as he approaches 70
  • Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation's grants have gone from £7.7m to £3.1m
  • As the Queen scales back her engagements, Charles attended the most in 2017 

Prince Charles (pictured on Christmas Day) is doing less charitable work as he approaches his 70th birthday, according to accounts 

Prince Charles (pictured on Christmas Day) is doing less charitable work as he approaches his 70th birthday, according to accounts 

Prince Charles is doing less charitable work as he approaches his 70th birthday and starts filling in for the Queen.

The Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation handed out less than half the donations this year than it did during the previous year.

In 2016 the foundation gave charities a total of £7.7million, compared with £3.1million in the 12 months to March, according to accounts.

Clarence House told the Daily Telegraph Charles, 69, is 'reviewing' his charity work as he takes on more jobs to support the Queen.

A spokesman told the newspaper: 'The approach of the Prince's 70th birthday provided a sensible opportunity to review his charities to ensure that they continue to deliver the maximum benefit for those people they were set up to help.

'The review was also designed to ensure the Prince's involvement was at the right level and had the right focus.

'This will ensure that the charities become sustainable with less necessity for the engagement of HRH on a day-to-day basis, and will contribute in building a lasting legacy of his philanthropic work.' 

The Prince attended the most official engagements of all the royals last year - managing to make 546 in total. 

He is believed to have increased the number of events he goes to as the Queen, 91, reduces her workload.

Clarence House told the Daily Telegraph Charles, 69, is 'reviewing' his charity work as he takes on more jobs to support the Queen. He is pictured with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 

Clarence House told the Daily Telegraph Charles, 69, is 'reviewing' his charity work as he takes on more jobs to support the Queen. He is pictured with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 

She has been slowly scaling back her duties over the past few years, reducing the number of official events she goes to by 11 per cent compared with last year, down from 332 to 296.

Her husband Philip, 96, retired from royal duties in August after totting up 22,219 solo engagements since Her Majesty became Queen in 1952.

As Charles appears more in public to support his mother, some his foundation's major beneficiaries have seen a drop in support.

Building Community had their funding cut from £1.6million in 2016 to £545,000, according to Companies House.

The Royal Drawing School's grant was also cut, plummeting from £439,000 to just £93,000.  

Charles was last seen at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in King's Lynn, Norfolk attending the Christmas Day service with the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry and his new fiancee Meghan Markle and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 

Charles (pictured left with Duchess of Cornwall) was last seen at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in King's Lynn, Norfolk attending the Christmas Day service with the Queen (front), Prince Philip (right), Prince Harry (back left) and his new fiancee Meghan Markle (back centre) and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Charles (pictured left with Duchess of Cornwall) was last seen at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in King's Lynn, Norfolk attending the Christmas Day service with the Queen (front), Prince Philip (right), Prince Harry (back left) and his new fiancee Meghan Markle (back centre) and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

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Prince Charles reduces charity work as he approaches 70

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