Queen Elizabeth II’s final days combined constitutional duty with personal privacy, ending a 70-year reign in quiet dignity. On 8 September 2022, she died peacefully at Balmoral Castle at age 96.
Born: 21 April 1926 · Died: 8 September 2022 · Reign length: 70 years, 214 days · Age at death: 96 years, 140 days · Cause of death: Old age (peaceful, no pain) · State funeral: 19 September 2022
Quick snapshot
- Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
- She appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister on 6 September 2022 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)) (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
- Cause of death listed as ‘old age’ (BBC News)
- She died peacefully, no pain (BBC News) (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
- Exact last words are not officially recorded (BBC News)
- Queen’s personal opinion on Meghan Markle is not publicly confirmed via direct quotes
- Whether she was in bed at the moment of death is not officially specified
- Whether Meghan Markle or Kate Middleton were present at the time of death is not officially confirmed
- 6 Sep 2022 – Appointed Liz Truss as PM (Britannica (reference publisher))
- 7 Sep 2022 – Canceled virtual Privy Council on medical advice (Britannica (reference publisher))
- 8 Sep 2022 – Died at Balmoral (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)) (Britannica (reference publisher))
- Charles III acceded to the throne immediately
- State funeral held 19 Sep 2022 at Westminster Abbey
- Mourning period and constitutional transition completed
The key facts table below summarizes her biographical details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Elizabeth Alexandra Mary |
| Birthplace | 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London |
| Father | George VI |
| Mother | Elizabeth (later Queen Mother) |
| Children | Charles, Anne, Andrew, Edward |
| Successor | Charles III |
What did Queen Elizabeth II do two days before she died?
Activities on 6 September 2022
On 6 September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II performed her final constitutional duty: appointing Liz Truss as Prime Minister. The meeting took place at Balmoral Castle rather than Buckingham Palace, a break with tradition due to the Queen’s mobility issues. Photographs show her standing with a walking stick, smiling but notably frail (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
Final public engagements
That same day, the Queen also held a brief audience with outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to official records, no other public engagements were scheduled. The following day, she canceled a virtual meeting of the Privy Council on medical advice (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
Meeting with Liz Truss
The Truss meeting lasted about 30 minutes. Palace sources later confirmed the Queen was in good spirits but tired. This was her last official act as sovereign.
Elizabeth II’s final public duty was entirely routine, yet historic: she ensured a peaceful transfer of power just 48 hours before her death.
The implication: her dedication to duty never wavered, even in her final hours.
What were Queen Elizabeth II’s last words before she died?
Reported last words according to Sarah Ferguson
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been one of the few family members to speak publicly about the Queen’s final moments. In a media interview, she stated that the Queen’s last words were about “family” and “being together” (BBC News). However, this account is not an official transcript.
Official statement from Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace has not released any transcript of the Queen’s last words. The official statement simply announced her death and noted she died peacefully at Balmoral. A memo from her private secretary, made public later, described her final moments as “very peaceful” and without pain (BBC News).
The pattern: the most intimate details remain private, preserved by the institution.
Did the late Queen Elizabeth II like Meghan Markle?
Reports on Queen’s view of Meghan Markle
Biographers and palace insiders have described the Queen’s early relationship with Meghan Markle as “warm.” Meghan was invited to Balmoral shortly after her engagement, a sign of acceptance. However, after the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties, reports indicated the Queen was “disappointed” but never publicly critical (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
Palace sources and biographies
Multiple books cite “frustration” within the royal household over the Sussexes’ decisions, but no direct quote from the Queen on her personal opinion of Meghan has ever been published. The Queen’s public statements always remained neutral and gracious.
Relationship timeline
- 2018: Meghan attends Christmas at Sandringham; Queen reportedly warm
- 2019: Tensions emerge; Queen issues statement supporting the Sussexes’ desire for a “new role”
- 2020: Queen agrees to the Sussexes stepping back; says she is “saddened” but respects their wishes
The catch: the absence of direct quotes leaves room for interpretation.
Did Queen Elizabeth II like Kate Middleton?
Queen’s relationship with Kate Middleton
By contrast, Kate Middleton’s relationship with the Queen was consistently described as “warm” and “mutually respectful.” The Queen reportedly valued Kate’s quiet and dutiful approach to royal life (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
Incident of Kate declining the Queen’s first invitation
According to royal biographers, Kate once declined the Queen’s first invitation to a family gathering due to a prior commitment. The Queen reportedly respected her sense of responsibility. This anecdote illustrates that their bond grew naturally, not through deference.
The pattern: mutual respect defined their relationship from the start.
Which queen lived 100 years?
Queen Elizabeth II did not reach 100
Queen Elizabeth II died at age 96 years and 140 days. She did not reach 100. The longest-living British royal was her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who died at 99 years and 283 days (Britannica (reference publisher)).
Longest-living British royal family members
The table below shows the ages of senior royals who lived the longest.
| Royal | Age at death | Year of death |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | 99 years, 283 days | 2021 |
| Queen Elizabeth II | 96 years, 140 days | 2022 |
| Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother | 101 years | 2002 |
| Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester | 102 years | 2004 |
No British queen regnant has lived to 100. The Queen Mother reached 101, but she was queen consort, not reigning monarch. The pattern is clear: long life is common in the family, but 100 remains elusive for those who carry the crown.
Who is the least popular royal family member?
YouGov royal family favourability ratings
According to YouGov tracking (January 2026, February 2025), Prince Andrew holds the lowest net favourability among senior royals. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry also score low compared to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne. This data is based on UK public opinion polls.
Public opinion data
The polling reflects ongoing challenges for the monarchy’s public image.
The implication: popularity is a moving target, and the monarchy must navigate shifting public sentiment.
Timeline of Elizabeth II’s life and final days
- – Elizabeth Alexandra Mary born
- – Accession to throne (Britannica)
- – Coronation
- – Appoints Liz Truss as Prime Minister (BBC News)
- – Cancels virtual Privy Council meeting
- – Dies at Balmoral Castle (BBC News)
- – State funeral at Westminster Abbey
The timeline shows how quickly events moved in the final 72 hours—from a constitutional appointment to the end of a 70-year reign.
Confirmed facts vs. unanswered questions
Confirmed facts
- Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle
- She appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister on 6 September 2022
- Cause of death listed as ‘old age’
- She died peacefully, no pain (BBC News)
What remains unclear
- Exact last words are not officially recorded
- Queen’s personal opinion on Meghan Markle is not publicly confirmed via direct quotes
- Whether she was in bed at the moment of death is not officially specified
- Whether Meghan Markle or Kate Middleton were present at the time of death is not officially confirmed
The official record is clear on the big facts, but the human details—last whispered words, personal judgments—remain private, as the Queen would have wished.
What those close to her said
“Her last words were about family and being together.”
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, in a media interview (BBC News)
“The Queen was disappointed but never publicly critical” of the Sussexes’ decisions.
Palace sources, cited in multiple biographies (BBC News)
These accounts, while not official, offer a window into the Queen’s final hours and her approach to family conflict—grace and restraint to the last.
The death of Elizabeth II closed a chapter in British history defined by duty, longevity, and quiet resilience. For the monarchy, the challenge now is to maintain stability under Charles III while navigating a more scrutinized family landscape. For the public, the unanswered questions about her personal opinions and last words will remain part of the enduring fascination. Elizabeth II’s life showed that even the most documented monarch leaves sacred, unwritten moments.
Related reading: **What Happens When You Die: Science, Spirit & Religion** · **Richard Chamberlain Dies at 90: Net Worth, Partner, and Legacy**
youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, nypost.com, standard.co.uk, people.com, bbc.co.uk, youtube.com, youtube.com, newsweek.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Queen Elizabeth II’s full name?
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.
How old was Queen Elizabeth II when she died?
96 years, 140 days. She was born 21 April 1926 and died 8 September 2022 (Britannica).
What was Queen Elizabeth II’s cause of death?
Old age. Her death certificate lists “old age” as the cause. A memo from her private secretary described her final moments as “very peaceful” and without pain (BBC News).
Did Queen Elizabeth II have any children?
Yes, four: Charles (now King Charles III), Anne, Andrew, and Edward (Britannica).
Who became king after Queen Elizabeth II?
Her eldest son, Charles III.
Where did Queen Elizabeth II die?
At Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland (Britannica).
When was Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral?
19 September 2022 at Westminster Abbey.
What did Queen Elizabeth II do on her last day?
On 6 September she appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister. On 7 September she canceled a Privy Council meeting. On 8 September she died peacefully. No official public engagements took place on the day of her death (BBC News).
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Daniel Campbell is Editor-in-Chief at True North Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.