In a heartwarming gesture, Queen Elizabeth II ensured that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would always have something precious to remember her by.
According to a recently published biography, the late monarch gifted her family with cherished memories in the months leading up to her passing on September 8, 2022.
During her final year, Queen Elizabeth was determined to make the most of her remaining time.
Author Robert Hardman explores this in his new book, “The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy,” set to be released on January 18, 2024.
A close friend of the royal family revealed to Hardman that the queen was well aware that her days were numbered.
The friend explained that Queen Elizabeth had been suffering from various health conditions before her death, making it impossible to pinpoint a specific cause.
While she knew that reaching the age of 100 was unlikely, she refused to let it hinder her.
“She’d been determined to make the most of that [final] year,” the friend shared.
Following royal tradition, Queen Elizabeth spent her summer at Balmoral, her Scottish estate, surrounded by her loved ones.
This annual retreat from London allowed the queen to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the countryside and create lasting memories with her family.
The friend mentioned that the purpose of the summer gathering was to ensure that all family members, especially the younger ones, would always carry joyous recollections of their time together.
Although some notable members of the family were absent that last summer, such as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Queen Elizabeth did have the opportunity to meet her great-grandchildren, Archie and Lili, during the Platinum Jubilee weekend in June of that same year when the Sussex family visited England.
On April 21, 2023, which would have been Queen Elizabeth’s 97th birthday, Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a glimpse of the late queen’s final summer.
They posted a never-before-seen photograph taken by the late Princess of Wales during the summer of 2022.
The picture captured Queen Elizabeth sitting on a green couch alongside two of her grandchildren, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, the children of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
The photo also featured the great-grandchildren who were present at Balmoral that summer, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the children of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Zara and Mike Tindall’s children, Lena, Mia, and Lucas, as well as Peter Phillips’ daughters, Isla and Savannah, were also captured in the heartwarming snapshot.
Tragically, Queen Elizabeth passed away at Balmoral, leaving behind a sense of guilt in her final days.
She was 96 years old when she departed this world, but her legacy lives on through the cherished memories she gifted to her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
