Mr Norris said: “It is a privilege to welcome the Duchess of Cornwall as the National Theatre’s Royal patron. The Duchess shares our belief that theatre enriches our lives in so many ways and that everyone should have access to the arts and creativity no matter where they are in the world.

“The Duchess has shown great support to our industry throughout the pandemic, and I look forward to working with Her Royal Highness for many years to come. I would also like to express my thanks to the Queen for Her Majesty’s long and unwavering support and service to the National Theatre.”

Confirming the Duchess of Cornwall’s role in a press release, the theatre made no mention of the Duchess of Sussex or her short tenure. A source said the omission had not been requested by the palace and reflected the fact that the patronage had been handed back to the Queen.

The National Theatre described her as an “avid theatregoer who regularly visits arts organisations in the UK and overseas to celebrate the creativity of others and the power of the performing arts to bring people together”.

She is already patron of the Royal Academy of Dance, the Royal Society of Literature, Friends of the Royal Academy, the London Chamber Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra, the Theatre Royal Bath, the Unicorn Theatre for Children and the Georgian Theatre Royal.