While King Charles has been out of the spotlight as he is treated for cancer, Queen Camilla has continued a packed schedule
Queen Camilla is taking some time out.
After an intense period in which she has been helping care for her husband, King Charles, amid his cancer diagnosis and stepping up on his behalf at some royal outings, she is taking a break from royal duties this week.
The Queen, 76, regularly schedules a break around this time of year, palace sources point out to PEOPLE. One source says that it is a scheduled week of private time which is usual for her at this time of year and points out that it is not connected to King Charles’ health.
Queen Camilla’s next scheduled royal occasion will be when she leads the family, in the monarch’s place, at Westminster Abbey in London for the annual Commonwealth Day service on March 11. The King is expected to give a video address which will be played at the service.
Queen Camilla’s time off means that three out of the four most senior members of the royal family are out of the public eye. King Charles, 75, canceled most public-facing duties as he undergoes cancer treatment, although he continues to work behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, Kate Middleton continues her recovery from her Jan. 16 abdominal surgery. The Princess of Wales, 42, became the subject of online speculation last week due to her absence, but the palace reiterated that she is not expected to return to royal duties until after Easter. A spokesperson for the royal said that Princess Kate is “doing well.”
That leaves Prince William. The Prince of Wales, 41, returned to royal duties in February after taking time off to help his wife in her recovery and keep things as normal as possible for their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Last week, the heir to the throne visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London, the second of two recent outings to recognize both the rise in antisemitism and the human suffering in the Middle East, and spent St. David’s Day with a series of engagements in Wales. The feast day included a shot of whiskey at The Turf pub in Wrexham with actor Rob McElhenney, who bought the Wrexham soccer team with Ryan Reynolds in 2021, and a sweet visit to a school.
“It is hard with Kate being ill as well, but he will step up,” a source close to the royal household previously told PEOPLE.
It will be for other members of the royal family to fly the flag at engagements. Prince Edward, who turns 60 on March 10, is expected out and about while his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has made a video address to a conference in Ukraine in support of her ongoing campaign against sexual violence being used as a weapon of war. There are also investiture ceremonies rewarding members of the public for their work in the community taking place.