Diary entry gives an intimate glimpse into the Queen’s final moments
By
VanessaC
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In the quiet serenity of Balmoral Castle, a place steeped in personal history and fond memories, the final chapter of Queen Elizabeth II's remarkable life came to a close.
It was here, in the Scottish Highlands, that the Queen's private secretary, Sir Edward Young, meticulously documented her last moments, capturing the essence of her peaceful departure from this world.
'Very peaceful,' Young wrote in his diary entry, now lodged in the Royal Archives.
'In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn't have been aware of anything. No pain.'
This poignant account, previously unseen by the public, paints a serene picture of the Queen's passing at her beloved Balmoral Castle.
Royal Expert Katie Nicholl revealed in September 2022 that it was always the Queen's wish to die at Balmoral.
This sentiment was echoed by the Queen's cousin, Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, who stated in an interview in 2020 that the Scottish estate was where the late Queen felt most at peace.
The National Records of Scotland officially recorded her cause of death as 'old age’.
In his upcoming book, Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story, Royal Reporter Robert Hardman shared further details about the Queen's final day.
Her eldest son, Charles, and his wife, Camilla, spent an hour with the Queen before Charles left to forage mushrooms and clear his head.
King Charles received the news of his mother's passing as he was driving back to Balmoral Castle.
Others present at the Queen's bedside included Princess Anne, the Queen's senior dresser and trusted confidante, Angela Kelly, and the Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, a minister who read to her from the Bible.
A locked red box of paperwork was also found on her deathbed, containing two sealed letters: one to her son and heir, Charles, and the other addressed to Young.
The box also contained the Queen’s final royal order: her choice of candidates for the prestigious Order of Merit for 'exceptionally meritorious service' across the Commonwealth.
'Even on her deathbed, there had been work to do. And she had done it,' Hardman wrote, remembering the Queen’s legendary work ethic.
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It was here, in the Scottish Highlands, that the Queen's private secretary, Sir Edward Young, meticulously documented her last moments, capturing the essence of her peaceful departure from this world.
'Very peaceful,' Young wrote in his diary entry, now lodged in the Royal Archives.
'In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn't have been aware of anything. No pain.'
This poignant account, previously unseen by the public, paints a serene picture of the Queen's passing at her beloved Balmoral Castle.
Royal Expert Katie Nicholl revealed in September 2022 that it was always the Queen's wish to die at Balmoral.
This sentiment was echoed by the Queen's cousin, Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, who stated in an interview in 2020 that the Scottish estate was where the late Queen felt most at peace.
The National Records of Scotland officially recorded her cause of death as 'old age’.
In his upcoming book, Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story, Royal Reporter Robert Hardman shared further details about the Queen's final day.
Her eldest son, Charles, and his wife, Camilla, spent an hour with the Queen before Charles left to forage mushrooms and clear his head.
King Charles received the news of his mother's passing as he was driving back to Balmoral Castle.
Others present at the Queen's bedside included Princess Anne, the Queen's senior dresser and trusted confidante, Angela Kelly, and the Rev Kenneth MacKenzie, a minister who read to her from the Bible.
A locked red box of paperwork was also found on her deathbed, containing two sealed letters: one to her son and heir, Charles, and the other addressed to Young.
The box also contained the Queen’s final royal order: her choice of candidates for the prestigious Order of Merit for 'exceptionally meritorious service' across the Commonwealth.
'Even on her deathbed, there had been work to do. And she had done it,' Hardman wrote, remembering the Queen’s legendary work ethic.
Key Takeaways
- The Queen's peaceful final moments, which were recorded by her private secretary and included in the Royal Archives, have recently been revealed to the public.
- Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, at Balmoral Castle, fulfilling her wish to die at the Scottish estate.
- Her final moments were spent with close family members and confidantes, and she was engaged in official duties until the end.
- The Queen's exemplary work ethic was highlighted by her attending to royal orders and selecting candidates for the Order of Merit up until her death.