The Commonwealth has begun secret deliberations to decide who will succeed the Queen as its head, it has been reported.

Although Prince Charles will become King on the death of his mother, the head of the Commonwealth is not a hereditary position.

A "high-level group" of Commonwealth officials are set to meet in London. The agenda for the all-day summit, seen by the BBC, says there will be a discussion of "wider governance considerations", which insiders say is code for the succession.

A senior source said: "I imagine the question of the succession, however distasteful it may naturally be, will come up."

The Queen turns 92 in April. She was proclaimed head of the Commonwealth at her coronation when she became head of state in seven of its eight members. Today it has 53 members, mostly former constituents of the British Empire.