The late Queen will be remembered in history books for her incredible 70 year reign. But she was first and foremost a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and in the final 12 months of her life, she made a poignant decision.
The beloved monarch passed away peacefully in her sleep at Balmoral on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96.
The Scottish estate was her favourite residence and she would travel there every year for her summer break, when she would also be joined by her loved ones. It meant the royals could enjoy time together as a family, away from the pressures of the public eye and their official duties.
And according to a family friend, she was aware that the summer of 2022 would be her last. They told royal author Robert Hardman that the late Queen had been suffering from “multiple conditions” in her final year. “She had come to realise that the medical prognosis meant she was not going to emulate her mother and reach 100, so she had been determined to make the most of that [final] year,” they said.
“She made sure she had all the family up over the summer, so that the young ones in particular would always be left with happy memories of her.”
Following her death, Princess Kate released a previously unseen photo taken at that time, showing the Queen sitting on a sofa at Balmoral and surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sitting next to her is eldest great-grandchild Savannah Phillips, daughter of Peter Phillips, as well as Mia Tindall, who is cradling her baby brother Lucas.
Behind them stands Lena Tindall, the middle child of Zara and Mike Tindall , Prince George , Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips and Prince Louis. Standing tall at the back are the Queen’s youngest grandchildren Lady Louise Windsor and James, the new Earl of Wessex – the son and daughter of the now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
It was a special summer for the family. In the wake of the Queen’s death, Prince William paid a touching tribute highlighting her role as a grandmother and great grandmother. William said: “My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.
“She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real.”
Elsewhere is his book, Charles III: New King. New Court, Hardman revealed that the Queen had selflessly expressed concern about causing difficulties when she did pass away. He wrote that she remained “endearingly reluctant to cause unnecessary inconvenience to others” and was worried about the logistics should she pass away at Balmoral.
Her daughter Princess Anne later confirmed her mother’s concerns in the BBC documentary, Charles III: The Coronation Year. She revealed that the Queen felt it would be “more difficult” if she died at Balmoral, and was concerned about causing issues for other people, even at the end of her life. “We did try and persuade her that that that shouldn’t be part of the decision-making process,” Anne recalled. “I hope she felt that that was right in the end, because I think we did.”
