Why did Egyptian pharaohs delegate many priestly duties to local priests?

In theory, the pharaoh of ancient Egypt was considered the high priest of every god and the sole legitimate mediator between humanity and the divine. However, for practical purposes, the pharaoh delegated these priestly duties to professional local priesthoods.1

This delegation was necessary because the pharaoh could not personally officiate at every important ceremony across the country. While the pharaoh remained the unique "priest par excellence" and was often depicted on temple walls performing rites, his place in actual, day-to-day practice was typically taken by members of the priesthood attached to local temples or the royal household.1

By delegating these functions, the pharaoh allowed local priests to act on his behalf, effectively sharing in his divine powers and privileges to maintain the god-given order known as maat. This system ensured that religious obligations were fulfilled throughout the kingdom, even as the pharaoh remained the supreme authority and the symbolic center of all religious life.21