Before her passing, Queen Elizabeth II had a deeply personal wish: to leave behind beautiful memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. According to biographer Robert Hardman in his book "Elizabeth II: Privately. Publicly. The Inside Story," the monarch had requested that during the last summer of her life, the family gather at Balmoral Castle, a place she considered her most beloved sanctuary.
Although Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might not have been present due to their life in the U.S., the Queen wished for the rest of the family to be by her side during those special moments.
The summer of 2022 was different. Queen Elizabeth II was weakened but still determined to spend time in the place that made her happiest. She even continued to engage in her favorite activities, such as horseback riding and caring for her beloved pony.
Just a few days before her passing, on September 6, 2022, she fulfilled one of her final official duties by receiving Boris Johnson and appointing Liz Truss as the new Prime Minister—a historic moment that, for the first time in her 70-year reign, did not take place at Buckingham Palace but at Balmoral.
Two days later, on September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96, closing a long and unforgettable era. Following her, the throne was inherited by King Charles III, while her memory remains alive not only in history but also in the hearts of her family.