LIFE, LOVE AND DUTY: QUEEN CAMILLA'S JOURNEY INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

Following another busy week of duties, it's clear Queen Camilla has taken to her role in the monarchy “like a duck to water" says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond

- REBECCA RUSSELL

The past nine months have seen Queen Camilla truly establish herself as one of the royal family's greatest secret weapons.

Her journey from the shadows to shining front and centre has been one for the history books - but, away from the spotlight, she is first and foremost a wife, mother and grandmother.

Of all her important duties and responsibilities, it is Camilla's role as a grandmother that keeps her anchored to "the real world", a leading royal expert explains.

"Camilla has maintained a small part of her life which is hers and almost hers alone, and I rather admire that," former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK! "She has her own house where she can put on her muddy wellington boots and a pair of old jeans and romp around the garden with her grandchildren or just on her own, and have some peace and calm and quiet.

"We have to remember that Camilla agreed to get into this extraordinary royal life goldfish bowl in her mid fifties - an age where most of us are very established in our lives. She has a history, she has a family, she has an independent life, and has kept some of that, albeit a very small part, to herself. I think it's almost like a sanity valve." After a well-deserved break and time with her family, the Queen, 77, was back with a bang as she undertook a full diary of royal duties last week. Looking on top form, Camilla clearly had King Charles in her thoughts when she opened the new Dyson Cancer Centre in Bath on Tuesday. When asked about how her husband is doing amid his ongoing treatment following his diagnosis, she warmly replied, "Yes, he is doing very well."