The Duchess of Cornwall is expected to become the royal patron of the National Theatre, a role previously held by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Camilla, 74, is set to take on the role later this year after the Sussexes decided not to return to being working royals following a move to California, the Sunday Times reported.

The Duchess of Cornwall has long taken a keen interest in the performing arts, hailing the importance of the industry in speeches and visiting the West End last summer to hear about the problems caused for actors by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a speech at the Olivier Awards in October 2020, the Duchess called theatre “the cornerstone of a fertile cultural life, a forum for debate and a powerful means of building community”.

She added: “Perhaps more importantly, those of us who believe in the theatre also believe in its resilience.

“I should like to thank those of you whose profession is in the theatre for your determination and flexibility. Please remain resilient. We need you, and we’ve missed you.”

In December 2020 the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited London’s Soho Theatre alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan and met actors and staff, as lockdown restrictions temporarily ended after almost a month. They would be reintroduced a month later.

The Duchess’s own plans to appear on the stage or screen appear a little less ambitious. Earlier this month the author Peter James, whose books have been made into ITV’s crime drama Grace, said the Duchess had joked to him that she could play “a dead body” on the popular series.

“I think she might do something. I’m definitely going to drop her a note and say the offer is open,” he said.

Clarence House declined to comment.