Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, surrounded by her closest family members. Her death, at the age of 96, marked the end of an era and sent shockwaves across the world, as leaders and admirers paid tribute to the monarch who devoted her entire adult life to the throne.
On the morning of her passing, Buckingham Palace released a rare statement expressing that doctors were “concerned” about her health. Members of the royal family rushed to be by her side. Hours later, the palace confirmed her death with the words: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.”
It is understood that King Charles and Princess Anne were with her during her final moments. Charles and Camilla reportedly spent an hour at her bedside before her passing.
Final hours revealed
Eighteen months after her funeral, the Queen’s private secretary, Sir Edward Young, shared further details in a private memo. He revealed that two sealed letters had been found in a red box of papers beside her bed — one addressed to him, and another to her eldest son, Charles.
Prince Harry, who was flying at the time, later admitted in his memoir Spare that he only learned of his grandmother’s death after switching his phone back on and seeing a BBC News alert.
In his first televised address as monarch, King Charles paid tribute to his late mother: “To my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I say this: thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you served so diligently.”
Cause of de:ath confirmed
Although her death certificate — signed by Princess Anne — listed her cause of death as old age, Sir Edward’s memo offered a more intimate description of her final moments.
He wrote simply: “Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn’t have been aware of anything. No pain.”
Her state funeral was held on September 19, 2022, at Westminster Abbey, where the world gathered to honor Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.