Duckworth was appointed Canon of Westminster in 1875 and later was also appointed Sub-Dean. He was Chaplain-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria from 1870 to 1901, for which service he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) on 11 August 1902. He was Rural Dean for the parish of St. Marylebone from 1891 to 1905, and from 1875 to 1901 was Honorary Chaplain to the Prince of Wales, whom he accompanied on his 1875-6 tour of India. He was Chaplain-in Ordinary to Edward VII in 1910.