Queen wrote letters to Charles and close confidant on deathbed, new book claims

12 January 2024 , 21:33

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The late Queen wrote a letter to King Charles on her deathbed (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The late Queen wrote two final letters to her son King Charles and a close confidant before she died, a new book claims.

Elizabeth II's footman took a locked red box of paperwork from next to her death bed at Balmoral, which was later found to contain the two sealed letters to her heir and devoted private secretary Sir Edward Young.

The contents of the 96-year-old's letters are unlikely to ever be made public but do highlight her devotion to her role and that she was well aware she was close to the end. The box also contained her final piece of paperwork and last royal order: her choice of candidates for the prestigious Order of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious service" across the Commonwealth.

Meanwhile, her final moments were recorded by Sir Edward, who was also at her side as she passed away on September 8, 2022. He wrote a memo which has since been locked away in the Royal Archives. However, it is contained in the new biography Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story by royal writer Robert Hardman.

Details of the late Queen's final moments have been revealed in a new book (PA)

One of the final photos taken of the Queen (Getty Images)

The Daily Mail reports, the memo says: "Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn't have been aware of anything. No pain." Mr Hardman wrote: "Even on her deathbed, there had been work to do. And she had done it."

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Further details about the lead-up and fallout of the Queen's death are now being revealed, including a claim over who she spent her final hours with. 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.

Prince William and Prince Harry were urged to travel up to Scotland so they could say their final goodbyes, though at this time it was believed the Queen had days, not hours, to live. Further claims were made over the travel plans of the pair of princes, with Prince Harry allegedly told Meghan Markle was not welcome at the deathbed.

Kate Middleton had elected to stay away from Balmoral as the royal children were in need of preparing for the new school term, though King Charles did not tell his youngest son the Princess of Wales had chosen not to attend.

Ryan Merrifield