A remarkable memo detailing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s last moments is now contained in the Royal Archives, in which her private secretary revealed she had “slipped away” peacefully.
However, the Queen was known for her strong work ethic, so she still completed her last box of paperwork from her deathbed at Balmoral, in which were two sealed letters – one addressed to her son, King Charles and the other to her private secretary, Sir Edward Young.
The contents of the letters are unlikely to ever be made public, but the sweet gesture also shows her devotion to those closest to her and her work ethic.
The red boxes are one of the monarch’s most famous duties and were completed almost every day.
The final moments that were recorded by Sir Edward are in his memo – now locked away in the Royal Archives. The contents also feature in royal writer, Robert Hardman’s biography titled ‘Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story’.
According to the Daily Mail, the memo details Queen Elizabeth’s very last moments stating: “Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn’t have been aware of anything. No pain.”
Royal writer, Mr Hardman, writes: “Even on her deathbed, there had been work to do. And she had done it.”
Further details reveal King Charles and Queen Camilla are believed to have spent an hour with the late Queen while she lay on her deathbed, while Princess Anne and confidante Angela Kelly, alternated at her bedside.
After hearing his mother’s health was deteriorating, King Charles rushed to Balmoral Castle via helicopter, where he also read his London Bridge notes outlining the plan of action following her death.
King Charles later described the death of his mother as a “profound loss”.
He said of the late Queen: “During her life, she remained a constant source of inspiration for us all.”
Writing about the aftermath of the Queen’s death, Mr Hardman described how, when private secretaries Sir Edward and Sir Clive Alderton settled down to work their way through official business, a “footman appeared with a red box”.
As well as the two letters, the box also included the Queen’s approved shortlist of candidates to receive the Order of Merit, intended to honour distinguished service in public life and at the gift of the monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died on September 8 2022 at the age of 96, plunging the whole nation into mourning after reigning for 70 years.
She was laid to rest after the state funeral on 19 September.
