Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at age 96, ending her 70-year reign. Loved by many worldwide, she was laid to rest beside Prince Philip.
Rumors swirled about her having bone cancer, but no cause of death was confirmed.
After her state funeral in Westminster Abbey, her coffin journeyed through London to Windsor. At St. George’s Chapel, royal symbols were placed on the altar. King Charles broke the Wand of Office—marking the end of her reign.
As the Queen’s coffin was lowered into the Royal Vault, “God Save the King” echoed. Later that evening, a private family burial took place.
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth II now rests in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, beside her parents, sister Margaret, and husband Prince Philip. After his passing, Philip was first placed in the royal vault and later moved to join her.
Her funeral and lying-in-state reportedly cost the UK around $200 million, the highest since Churchill’s in 1965. Massive crowds came to Westminster Hall to pay their respects.
Controversy arose when the Scottish government delayed releasing her cause of death, prompting debates about public transparency.
Elizabeth died of “old age”
Despite media requests, the National Records of Scotland initially withheld details about Queen Elizabeth II’s death. It was later confirmed she died of “old age” at 3:10 PM on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, as officially registered on September 16. The death certificate was signed by Princess Anne.
King Charles and Camilla were with the Queen when she passed. Prince William, Kate, and Harry didn’t arrive in time.
In an interview with 60 Minutes, Prince Harry revealed he wasn’t included in family travel plans to Balmoral, despite asking Prince William about it.
Prince Harry and Prince William didn’t make it in time
On his flight to Balmoral, Prince Harry reflected on his last moments with the Queen. He learned of her death upon landing, via the BBC. Princess Anne greeted him at the estate and asked if he wanted to see the Queen. After a pause, he agreed.
“I went upstairs, took off my jacket, and spent time with her alone,” Harry told 60 Minutes. “She had finished life. Her husband was waiting for her. They’re buried together.”
In his memoir, Harry shared how he stood still for a long time, whispering to her:
“I hope you’re happy, and with Grandpa. I admire how you served until the end.”
Royal insider claimed Queen Elizabeth suffered from bone cancer
Queen Elizabeth’s official cause of death was listed as old age, but royal author Gyles Brandreth suggested she may have been suffering from bone marrow cancer (myeloma) in her final year.
He pointed to her tiredness, weight loss, and mobility issues as signs. Myeloma is common in the elderly and causes bone pain, especially in the pelvis and lower back.
Though incurable, it can be managed with treatment to reduce symptoms and extend life by a few years. This could explain the Queen’s reported struggles with movement and discomfort in her last months.
“No one could see she was having to use a wheelchair”
In her final year, Queen Elizabeth II stepped back from public events due to worsening mobility and pain. Though never seen in a wheelchair publicly, sources say she used one privately.
Royal author Robert Jobson revealed that for the Platinum Jubilee, the Queen ordered a secret, military-style plan to keep her wheelchair hidden. She was wheeled to the balcony entrance at the Palace, stood with help, and smiled during the fireworks—her final public appearance.
Aides were under strict orders not to let anyone see her in a wheelchair. The Queen reportedly didn’t want to repeat the moment her sister, Princess Margaret, was photographed in one shortly before her death.
Queen Elizabeth was “easily confused” and had a hard time to see in her final days
A close friend of Queen Elizabeth II has opened up about her final years, revealing that the late monarch was in “a lot of pain” and struggled with poor vision, hearing loss, and confusion toward the end of her life.
Though she bravely appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister just days before her passing, insiders say the Queen had difficulty focusing and was “easily confused.” Her health had been steadily declining since Prince Philip’s death in 2021.
“In her final months, things worsened—she could barely see or hear,” the friend told The Daily Beast. “She rarely left her apartments at Windsor Castle, and just stepping out onto the balcony during the Jubilee took immense effort.”