Queen Camilla is to take a brief break from royal engagements after filling in for her husband, King Charles III, as he receives treatment for cancer.

The 76-year-old consort has been widely viewed as the de facto head of state, leading the nation at recent events, including the memorial service to the late King Constantine II of Greece.

The Queen will resume this role on March 11 when she leads The Royal Family at the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

In the meantime, she is taking a week-long break from royal duties to spend time with her family.

A royal source told the Sunday Times that Her Majesty “has been buoyed by the public’s reaction” to her taking on extra duties over the past few weeks.

They added: “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.”