Queen Elizabeth II’s final summer was marked by a poignant desire to create lasting memories with her great-grandchildren, as revealed in a forthcoming biography by royal author Robert Hardman. The book, titled “Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story,” is set to be released on April 9. In it, Hardman highlights the monarch’s wish to ensure that her family would retain “really happy memories” of her, despite the decline in her health during that period.
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According to Hardman, the late Queen expressed a strong desire to gather all her great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, a location she cherished for summer retreats. This wish remained important to her, even amid uncertainty regarding the attendance of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In June 2022, the family made the journey to the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, although their visit was not confirmed during her final summer at Balmoral.
A family friend shared with Hardman, “She wanted to make sure that they all had a really happy memory of her.” This sentiment underscores the Queen’s dedication to family and the legacy she hoped to impart, particularly as she faced an uncertain future.
Queen Elizabeth was a great-grandmother to twelve at the time of her passing, which included Prince William and Kate Middleton’s children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Since her death in September 2022, the royal family has welcomed two more great-grandchildren: Princess Eugenie’s second son, Ernest Brooksbank, and Princess Beatrice’s second child, Athena.
Balmoral Castle has long been a beloved retreat for the British royals, a place where they have gathered for generations. Princess Eugenie once remarked, “I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands,” highlighting the Queen’s fondness for the tranquil Scottish scenery.
As her health began to wane in the summer of 2022, the Queen’s activities reflected a palpable sense of finality. According to Hardman, during her last public engagements, she met with various officials and held a Privy Council meeting before departing for Balmoral. These meetings also included visits with her cherished horses, including her fell pony, Emma, signalling a bittersweet farewell.
During her last public engagements, a poignant exchange occurred between the Queen and one of her attendees, who later recounted, “I felt a bit emotional when I left because it just felt to me like a goodbye.” This stranger’s experience bemusedly echoed sentiments that several of the Queen’s companions seemingly shared during her final days.
On September 6, 2022, just days prior to her death, the Queen conducted her last official engagements at Balmoral. She accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and appointed Liz Truss as his successor, marking a historic moment as this was the first occasion in her 70-year reign that she did not appoint a new Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace.
During this meeting, Liz Truss noted that while the Queen was physically unwell, she remained alert and engaged throughout their conversation. “I would say she was relieved that the thing had actually happened,” Truss observed, as she reflected on the bittersweet nature of that meeting.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, surrounded by family at Balmoral, which she held dear throughout her life. Her death marked the end of an era, with her eldest son, Charles, ascending to the throne as King immediately thereafter.
This month, as the nation gears up to commemorate what would have been the Queen’s 97th birthday on April 21, plans for celebrations are underway, reflecting the enduring legacy of a monarch who dedicated her life to service. Her unwavering commitment to her family, her public duties, and her connection to the Commonwealth continue to resonate powerfully in the hearts of the British people and beyond.