It was February 2022 when the late Queen Elizabeth II expressed her “sincere wish” that her daughter-in-law would be known as “Queen Consort” when her son, Prince Charles, became King.

That astute nod to her people — in the late sovereign’s “70th anniversary of her accession” message — six months before she died was a recognition of Camilla’s place in her son’s life and the resilience of their love-match. It also paved the way for a future coronation in which we saw Camilla crowned and anointed alongside her husband.

It was crucial for King Charles who, in his maiden speech as King, said: “I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla.”

But the late monarch could have had no idea quite how central Camilla would become — barely a year into the reign of Charles III — not just to her son but to the United Kingdom.

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, in 2013.(AP: Alastair Grant )

In an interview in June 2022 Camilla told me that she was “greatly honoured” and “deeply touched” by the Queen’s pronouncement, and also that she had learned from the late Duke of Edinburgh that as consort, “your place is several feet behind the monarch”.

“You’re there as a backup,” she said.

Today Queen Camilla is shouldering a much bigger role. The whole world has been shocked at the news that both the King and his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, are currently undergoing cancer treatment. These serious health issues mean the two senior royals have had to step back from public life.

Camilla on the front foot

Princess Catherine’s emotional and courageous video announcement from her Windsor home, surrounded by daffodils, will surely go down in history as a watershed royal moment. And as that news continues to reverberate, 76-year-old Queen Camilla is stepping into the void with a burgeoning programme of public engagements, many standing in for the King.

Last week Her Majesty delivered a speech for her husband on a visit to the Isle of Man, off the north-west coast of England.

“My husband is so sorry that he cannot be with us today on this extremely special occasion, but he has sent me here armed with a copy of his speech to read out on his behalf,” she said in her address to Douglas Borough Council.

The Queen followed this with an important solo visit to Northern Ireland which had been in planning for months. On Thursday Camilla will be standing in for the King once more, distributing “Maundy Money” in red and white purses to 75 men and 75 women during a service at England’s Worcester Cathedral.

It’s one of those quaint set pieces of antiquated pomp and ceremony that picks up the golden thread of British monarchy and sprinkles some much needed community stardust in what has become an undeniably challenging time.

The origin of the Royal Distribution dates back to 1210, when King John was on the throne. The number of purses denotes the monarch’s age — the King is 75 — and the money, specially minted coins, is to thank recipients for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of others in their communities.

The engagement is especially notable because Camilla will be the first consort to carry out this ancient ritual. Not two steps behind, very much on the front foot.

This Easter will be a muted occasion

In a BBC documentary screened at the end of last year, Annabel Elliot described her sister Camilla as the King’s “rock” — and she is certainly showing that now.

The Queen was a dominant figure leading the House of Windsor at the Commonwealth Day Service and is increasingly being welcomed and embraced at public engagements. She’s also reported to be closer than ever to Prince William, bonding in their shared experience as both strive to keep calm and carry on.

In recent weeks much has been made of the paucity of working royals at the top of the House of Windsor, but there are nine royals to call on and Camilla has been very present, as has her sister-in-law Princess Anne. Camilla is “resilient” and “devoted” to her royal duty, UK’s Telegraph newspaper proclaimed this week. She will “step up to do whatever is asked of her”.

Queen Camilla is reported to be closer than ever to Prince William.(Pool: Henry Nicholls via Reuters)

There is still a long way to go, of course. Easter Sunday is usually a time when we see the royal family out in force — but this year it will certainly be a muted occasion.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children will be absent as they guard their privacy and precious time together as a family at home in Anmer Hall in Norfolk.

But King Charles will be back alongside Queen Camilla for a service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle along with other members of the royal family.