THE DUCHESS of Cornwall has been made royal patron of the National Theatre by the Queen – the first of the Duchess of Sussex’s patronages to be taken over.

Meghan Markle, a former actress, was stripped of the prestigious role after she and the Duke of Sussex moved to the US.

The new duty for Camilla is another sign of the Queen’s faith in her daughter-in-law, who she endorsed as a future Queen Consort while marking her historic Platinum Jubilee last month.

The Queen handed Meghan two royal patronages in 2019 – the Royal National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

But the monarch stripped the Duchess of these in 2021 following a review the year after Prince Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals.

Meghan also had to give up her role as vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, but kept her two private patronages - Smart Works and animal charity Mayhew.

Prince Harry lost his royal patronages and his honorary military roles, with the Duchess of Cambridge later taking over as patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Football League.

The couple had wanted to keep the positions they had to relinquish, with a spokesperson for the couple saying in a statement at the time: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

The National Theatre said it was delighted Camilla has been given the role, describing her as a devoted fan of theatre and champion of literature and drama.

Rufus Norris, director and joint chief executive of the National Theatre, 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.”

The Queen has been associated with the National Theatre since its earliest days at the Old Vic in the 1960s, last visiting with the Duke of Edinburgh, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2013.