Queen Camilla will take a well-deserved break from work this week after holding down the fort since King Charles’ cancer was announced.
Her Majesty has a clear agenda and will depart on a foreign holiday on a private flight tomorrow, whilst also making time for family in the coming weeks.
Camilla, 76, has been taking on an extra burden since King Charles’ shock diagnosis last month, which saw him step away from his public duties.
She has completed 13 official engagements since Charles’ condition came to light, continuing with her own plans and appearing alone at events intended for both the King and Queen.
This included an engagement on Valentine’s Day, when Camilla went alone to Grosvenor House in London for an event celebrating Shakespeare, of whom the King, 75, is a lifelong fan.
Queen Camilla has completed 13 official engagements since announcing King Charles’ condition last month.
Camilla is greeted as she attends a service of thanksgiving for the life of King Constantine of the Hellenes at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on February 27.
Camilla speaks to Frank Cottrell-Boyce during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London with finalists, judges and celebrity readers on February 28.
Charles and Camilla attended the Sunday morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham last month.
He is due to resume work on March 11 for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, leading the royal family in place of Charles, who will instead release a video message to mark the occasion.
Camilla was the last key royal standing last week, raising some concerns about who is in charge at a time when so many key royals are out of the picture.
Royal author Ingrid Seward told The Sun on Sunday that Charles reportedly insisted his wife take a break.
She said: ‘He will see that she is exhausted. Camilla has had the utmost concern for her husband’s health, but she has also been the one who has had to adapt to the busy schedule of royal commitments, in addition to wanting to be there for him and Kate while each had the problems of her health. .
“It certainly deserves some rest and relaxation.”
It comes as the Princess of Wales, 42, continues to recover from abdominal surgery at home with the support of her family, and has not been seen in public since Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, William, 41, was forced to withdraw this week from the Windsor tribute to his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, due to a “personal matter”.
While Camilla enjoys a well-deserved rest, William, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will undertake engagements as normal.
Camilla has been the most senior royal to complete engagements, and the King continues to work behind the scenes in his red boxes and other official duties while receiving treatment.
Camilla shakes hands with nine-year-old Skylar Copeland during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London on February 28.
Camilla has been taking on an extra burden since King Charles’ shock diagnosis last month.
King Charles and Queen Camilla wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace
Princess Catherine continues to recover from abdominal surgery at home with the support of her husband, Prince William.
In what has become a typically busy solo schedule, last week Camilla led the royal family at the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece in Windsor, hosted a reception for the “500 Words” children’s creative writing competition at Buckingham Palace and met the first lady. of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, at Clarence House.
A royal source told The Sunday Times that while she never expected to lead the royal family, Camilla is “absolutely prepared to do whatever is necessary for the institution” and has been “encouraged” by public support since the King’s diagnosis. .
It was also reported that Charles was “proud” of his wife for keeping the show going.
His public presence has also filled the void left by the conspicuous absence of the Princess of Wales, 42, who was the subject of hysterical speculation on social media last week.
Kate continues to recover from abdominal surgery in Windsor and will not resume duties until after Easter.
The implosion of online theories about the princess’s health swirled last week after William, 41, pulled out of service for King Constantine at the last minute due to a “personal matter.”
He returned to work on Thursday, where he visited a London synagogue, before visiting Wales on Friday for St David’s Day.