The late Queen Elizabeth II’s final words to former Prime Minister Liz Truss, spoken just days before Her Majesty’s passing, have been disclosed. Truss, who was appointed as Prime Minister by the Queen on September 6, 2022, had traveled to Balmoral to meet with the ailing monarch. Photographs from their encounter showed a visibly frail Queen greeting Truss, marking her as the 15th Prime Minister during the Queen’s remarkable 70-year reign.
Tragically, just two days after this appointment, on September 8, the news broke that the Queen had died peacefully at her Scottish residence, leading to King Charles III’s accession to the throne. In a candid interview with The Sun’s Never Mind the Ballots podcast, Truss revealed the poignant last words the Queen said to her: “I’ll see you next week.”
The words exchanged between Liz Truss and Queen Elizabeth II during their final meeting carried an unintended foreshadowing of events that would unfold shortly after. Unbeknownst to them at the time, this encounter would be their last, as the Queen passed away before they could meet again. Instead of a future meeting, Ms. Truss found herself overseeing the nation’s mourning period following the Queen’s demise and subsequently resigned from her position as Prime Minister after just seven weeks, amidst the economic turmoil triggered by her mini-budget, as reported by the Mirror.
In the aftermath, the former Prime Minister has shared insights into her conversation with the Queen during their meeting. She stated: “She was an extremely wise woman and so, so on the ball. She talked a lot about all of the issues that were going on, all of the issues in the PM’s inbox.”
Ahead of the release of her book ‘Ten Years To Save The West’, Ms. Truss is making appearances across various media platforms, where she also discusses her encounters with the late Queen. Recalling their meeting in 2022, she noted that the 96-year-old monarch “seemed to have grown frailer” since her last public appearance.
The passage provides insightful details about Queen Elizabeth II’s final days at Balmoral Castle in Scotland before her passing in September 2022. It highlights an account from Liz Truss, who had a conversation with the Queen shortly before becoming Prime Minister. The Queen warned Truss about the aging effects of being Prime Minister and advised her to “pace yourself.”
Despite her declining health, the Queen wished to spend her final summer at Balmoral, her beloved Scottish residence. In late July 2022, she traveled there by private helicopter, intending to take a break from royal duties before returning to England in early October.
Among her visitors during this time was the Moderator of the Church of Scotland General Assembly, Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields. He joined the Queen, King Charles, and Princess Anne for meals and spoke highly of the Queen, describing her as “the life and soul of things” and praising her remarkable memory and sense of fun, even in her final days.
The passage provides a poignant glimpse into the Queen’s determination to carry on her duties and enjoy her beloved Balmoral, while also acknowledging her declining health and the impending transition of the monarchy.
Dr Greenshields, who recently met with Queen Elizabeth II, provided valuable insights into her condition and demeanor during their interaction. He noted that while the Queen appeared frail physically, she remained mentally sharp and engaged. Her spirits were high, and she displayed a keen interest in various topics, including her past experiences, her love for Balmoral, her family members, horses, and current affairs related to the church and nation.
Dr Greenshields fondly recalled how the Queen shared reminiscences about her parents and her late husband, Prince Philip. Despite her frailty, he observed that her presence and aura were still palpable. The Queen immediately put him at ease with her warm smile and engaging conversation, exemplifying the qualities one would expect from a monarch. Her ability to make others feel comfortable and her genuine interest in engaging with people were evident during their meeting.