A new book about Queen Elizabeth II has revealed some poignant details on the late monarch’s final months before her death.
According to Robert Hardman’s new biography, Queen Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, the late monarch made one request over her great-grandchildren in the weeks before her death.
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Her death was confirmed as old age. She had celebrated her 70 years on the throne earlier that year.
In the weeks before her death, the queen spent her summer break at Balmoral. She traditionally spent the summer at the Scottish estate.
Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘wish’ over her great-grandchildren
According to Hardman, the queen wanted all of her great-grandchildren to visit Balmoral over the summer.
Queen Elizabeth II was a great-grandmother to Peter Phillips’ daughters Savannah and Isla Phillips, Prince William’s children George, Charlotte and Louis as well as Zara Tindall’s kids Mia, Lena and Lucas.
She was also a great-grandmother to Prince Harry’s children Archie and Lilibet, Princess Eugenie’s son August as well as Princess Beatrice’s daughter Sienna.
Two more great-grandchildren were born after the queen’s death: Eugenie’s second son Ernest and Beatrice’s second daughter, Athena.
Hardman writes in his book: “The queen wanted all the great-grandchildren to come up to Balmoral at some point over that summer, even if the Sussexes might not be able to make it.
“‘She wanted to make sure that they all had a really happy memory of her,’ explained a friend of the family.”
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
The queen’s final days before her death
Days before her death, Queen Elizabeth II remained dedicated to duty.
On September 6, 2022, two days before her death, the queen met with Liz Truss as she was appointed the 15th British prime minister of the monarch’s reign.
The queen wanted all the great-grandchildren to come up to Balmoral at some point over that summer.
Truss told Hardman: “She stood up to greet me. She was clearly physically not very well but we talked for about twenty minutes. She was alert. I would say she was relieved that the thing had actually happened and that we were now moving things forward.”
Prince William and Princess Kate made their return to the Royal Variety red carpet for the first time since 2023 on Wednesday, November 19.
The royal couple looked stunning as they mingled with the stars, and even shared a sweet, brief moment of PDA too.
Prince William and Princess Kate at the Royal Variety
Wednesday night saw the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, make an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance.
The annual star-studded event was once again hosted at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The royal couple looked stunning as ever as they stepped out onto the red carpet.
Kate wowed in a velvet bodycon gown from Talbot Runhof, whilst the prince looked very dapper in a smart, black tuxedo.
At one point while on the red carpet, the royal couple shared a sweet, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment of PDA.
As they headed into the venue, the future king placed a subtle hand on his wife’s back, leading her into the Royal Albert Hall.
William and Kate’s PDA moment
Speaking to HELLO!, royal reporter Alex Hurtado discussed the sweet moment between the royal couple.
“The Prince and Princess of Wales were so in sync as they stepped out on the red carpet, both wearing velvet. William was so supportive of his wife and sweetly put his hand on her back as they walked in,” Hurtado said.
“They were also very generous with their time, standing out to chat to Colonel Jane Davis, Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Greater London and the President and CEO of the Royal Albert Hall, James Max and James Ainscough despite the freezing temperatures.”
The Royal Variety Performance is an annual event that supports the Royal Variety Charity and benefits those who work in the entertainment industry.
The last time the royal couple were in attendance together was in 2023. Kate wore a blue floor-length gown complete with a matching cape, whilst William once again rocked his tuxedo.
Kate’s heartfelt moment with Jessie J
During their time at the event, William and Kate encountered a string of famous faces.
Among the stars was singer Jessie J, who took a moment to speak with Kate.
Jessie, 37, was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. She underwent successful surgery over the summer. She announced she needs further surgery back in August.
Speaking to Kate, Jessie said: “I just had breast cancer. I just want to give you a hug. Cancer really puts life into perspective.”
The singer and the Princess of Wales then embraced, before speaking about the shock of receiving a diagnosis.
Speaking after, Jessie told the press: “Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug. We acknowledged that it’s something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye.”
Jessie also spoke to the royal couple about her new song, which has been inspired by the the loss of a friend who took their own life.
“It is such an important conversation. I just miss him and I want to help others,” she said.
Read more: Prince William set for emotional engagement in memory of Rob Burrow
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A photo taken of the meeting showed Queen Elizabeth II smiling, wearing a tartan skirt and a grey cardigan, as she held a walking stick. It became the last photo taken of the monarch.
Days after the meeting, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II as the UK was plunged into mourning.
Her state funeral took place on September 19, 2022, as the royal family and the public bid farewell to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
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