Queen Camilla taking a week offQueen Camilla is taking a week off from public duties

Queen Camilla is taking a week off from public duties.

The 76-year-old royal has had a hectic few weeks since her husband, King Charles, announced on 5 February that he had been diagnosed with cancer, but she has no engagements in her diary for the coming days and is believed to be taking some private time to be with her spouse and her own family, before returning to work on 11 March, when she will represent the monarch and lead the family at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

Since Charles was diagnosed with cancer, Camilla has undertaken 13 official engagements, both her own planned appointments and once she had been due to undertake with her husband, who is stepping back from public duties while having treatment, though he is continuing to work on state business in private.

A source told The Sunday Times newspaper: “Although she was not expecting to find herself in the position of leading the family, the Queen is absolutely prepared to do whatever needs to be done for the institution.

“She has been buoyed by the public’s reaction. She has found reserves of energy that even she didn’t think she had, and the estimation of her by those inside the palace has soared as she has put her shoulder to the wheel.”

Charles is said to be "proud and pleased" with the way his wife is leading the family in his absence.

Another source told the outlet: “Her Majesty is robust, positive and determined to keep going while the King is off public duties. The King is proud and pleased to see the show is being kept on the road by the Queen and the wider family.”