Queen Elizabeth’s Final Moments Before Her Death Revealed

The recent revelations surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, more than a year after her death, shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the iconic monarch’s final moments. In an excerpt from royal biographer Robert Hardman’s upcoming book, “The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy,” published in the Daily Mail, the author shares a previously unseen memo from the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young, who was present at Balmoral when she died on September 8, 2022.

The memo, now part of the Royal Archives, provides a poignant glimpse into the Queen’s peaceful departure, stating, “Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn’t have been aware of anything. No pain.” These details offer a sense of solace, suggesting that the monarch’s passing was serene and free from suffering.

Additionally, the excerpt reveals that while concerns about the Queen’s well-being were present at the time, her death occurred with such suddenness that King Charles (then Prince Charles) found himself hastily boarding a helicopter for an eleventh-hour journey to Balmoral. On the evening of September 7, Princess Anne and Sir Clive Alderton, Charles’s private secretary, had advised him to be on standby, with a member of staff recounting, “They were both saying to him: ‘Think how you would feel if you never said goodbye.'”

These new insights provide a more intimate understanding of the events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, offering a glimpse into the final moments of a remarkable reign and the profound impact her death had on the Royal Family.

At the same time, the Queen appeared to be in a stable condition. According to one of the individuals involved, the consensus was that her health would remain stable for “a day or two, not an hour or two.”

While en route to Scotland, Charles read his “London Bridge” notes, which were a meticulously prepared protocol outlining the procedures to be followed in the aftermath of the Queen’s passing.

The book reveals that while at Balmoral, Charles and his wife Camilla (now Queen Camilla) spent an hour with the Queen privately at her bedside in the hours leading up to her death.

Princess Anne, along with Angela Kelly, the Queen’s senior dresser and trusted confidante, took turns by her bedside. The Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, an experienced minister from the nearby Crathie Kirk, joined them and read passages from the Queen’s Bible to her.

The book provides an informative account of the moments leading up to and following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. It reveals that Prince Charles personally reached out to his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, urging them to travel to Scotland to bid farewell to their grandmother, as he initially believed she had days left.

The excerpt also details the private moment when Charles learned of his mother’s death and his ascension to the throne. While gathering mushrooms at Birkhall to clear his mind, his sister Anne summoned him back to Balmoral Castle immediately. During the drive back, Charles received the news of the Queen’s passing and was addressed as “Your Majesty” for the first time, realizing his new role as monarch.

Upon arriving at the castle, Charles went straight to his mother’s bedside to say his private farewells, accompanied by Camilla. The book further mentions that despite numerous attempts, the King tried to personally inform his younger son, Harry, but was unable to reach him as he was already airborne.

This excerpt offers an insightful glimpse into the personal and emotional moments surrounding the Queen’s final days and the transition of the monarchy to King Charles III.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II marked a significant moment in history, as she reigned for an unprecedented 70 years in the United Kingdom. As preparations were underway following her death, it was reported that a footman delivered one of the Queen’s famous red boxes containing sensitive state documents to Charles and senior staff members. Inside, they found two sealed letters addressed to Charles and one of the staff members, indicating that the Queen had anticipated her passing and made arrangements accordingly.

Additionally, the Queen left behind her final list of candidates to be appointed to the Order of Merit, fulfilling her last royal duty. Her death was mourned not only in the United Kingdom, where she served as the longest-reigning monarch, but also in other nations that recognized her as the head of state or sovereign. Throughout her reign, the Queen remained a steadfast presence amidst the ever-changing landscape of the world, and her passing was grieved by those who saw her as an unwavering fixture during turbulent times.

The solemn occasion was marked by the Queen’s coffin, adorned with the Imperial State Crown, being carried by the Bearer Party as it departed Westminster Abbey during her state funeral on September 19, 2022, in London.

Queen Elizabeth II’s passing left a profound void for her extensive family, including her four children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. Her state funeral, held at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19th, was a grand affair attended by 2,000 leaders and royals from across the globe. Following the service, a committal ceremony took place at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, where she was subsequently laid to rest in a private ceremony alongside her husband Prince Philip, her father King George VI, her mother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and her sister Princess Margaret.