On a solemn day that will forever resonate in history, King Charles III learned of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s death while making his way back to Balmoral Castle.
This emotional revelation unfolded on September 8, 2022, just hours after he had last seen her.
At that moment, he was no longer just a son; he was the King of the United Kingdom.
Earlier that morning, the then-Prince of Wales had spent precious time with Queen Elizabeth at the Scottish estate.
After their visit, he returned briefly to his residence, Birkhall, only to be drawn back to his mother’s side in her final hours.
Fate had other plans, however, as he received a life-altering phone call while navigating the familiar Scottish roads.
Robert Hardman, in his insightful book Charles III: New King, New Court, vividly describes this heart-wrenching scene.
At a point on the estate’s secluded drive, Charles received a call from Sir Edward Young, the Queen’s private secretary.
In that moment, the once-familiar voice now addressed him as “Your Majesty” for the first time, marking the transition from Prince to King.
Imagine the scene: royal history intertwining with the personal grief of a son.
Hardman notes that upon hearing the news, Charles was effectively alone in his vehicle, surrounded by the very landscape that held so many memories.
It’s a stark contrast to the narrative of Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne nearly seventy years prior, when she was merely a young princess watching wildlife in Kenya.
Charles had spent the afternoon of September 8th at Balmoral, soaking in the tranquil moments with his mother before heading back to Birkhall.
As he began his drive, he momentarily became lost in thought.
Little did he know that this drive would forever change his life.
At that moment, not only was he on the brink of becoming King, but his family faced an irreconcilable loss.
His sister, Princess Anne, was present during their mother’s last breaths, dutifully keeping vigil, while Prince Edward and Prince Andrew were unable to make it in time.
Regrettably, Prince William and Prince Harry also missed the opportunity to say their final goodbyes.
This cruel twist of fate added a layer of sorrow to an already tragic situation.
After jumping onto a helicopter that morning, Charles had rushed to be by his mother’s side.
It was around 9:30 a.m. when he took off from Ayrshire, as the urgency of royal duties hung in the air.
Minutes before his arrival at Balmoral, he had made a series of critical phone calls to family members, urging them to come to Scotland quickly.
In less than an hour, Charles found himself at Birkhall, borrowing a Land Rover for the last leg of his journey.
What was intended as a moment of togetherness with his beloved mother turned into a bittersweet farewell, as he was, unfortunately, not present when she passed.
During this period away from her room, Charles tried to clear his mind, finding temporary solace in nature, gathering mushrooms on the estate.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne and the Queen’s dedicated assistant Angela Kelly remained steadfast at the Queen’s side, providing companionship during her final moments.
By 3 p.m., urgency surged as Dr. Douglas Glass was called to the Queen.
He arrived shortly after, confirming the somber reality; by 3:10 p.m., the Queen had stopped breathing.
As Charles was on his way back to Balmoral, he was met with the whisper of history—his life was changing in an instant.
Once informed of the tragedy, Charles pulled over his car, the reality of his monarchy bearing down on him alongside the personal sorrow.
His response was a rasping yet poignant, “We’re nearly there,” a simple yet profound recognition of his new status as King coupled with the heartbreak of losing his mother.
As he gathered himself to drive the final stretch, the new King was met with eerie calm within the chaos surrounding him.
A mix of duty and unimaginable grief awaited him upon his arrival.
At the castle, he was greeted by Princess Anne and Sir Edward, standing as bittersweet witnesses to the dawn of an era marked by loss.
Calling family members became his priority; however, his predecessor role weighed heavily on his shoulders.
He initiated calls to Prince William, ensuring his son received the news directly.
The critical shifts of royal life that day blurred the lines between personal grief and royal responsibility.
While his brother Harry remained unreachable due to travel, the message was quietly whispered through the echoes of the past.
Just like his mother before him, King Charles stepped into history—not only as a ruler but as a son mourning the loss of a beloved mother, a moment that encapsulates the personal connection to the crown.
