The Queen was last pictured welcoming Liz Truss as prime minister at Balmoral (Picture: PA)
The Queen was last pictured welcoming Liz Truss as prime minister at Balmoral.
The last known photograph of the Queen before she died was taken on the day she invited prime minister Liz Truss to form a new government.
The monarch died peacefully at the age of 96 yesterday afternoon at her Scottish home in Balmoral.
Just two days earlier she had smiled and clutched a walking stick as she greeted the 15th premier of her 70-year reign.
She had to carry out this duty at Balmoral, instead of Buckingham Palace, because she had been ‘advised to rest’ by doctors.
This was the first time the monarch has not travelled to London to appoint the country’s new leader.
Boris Johnson made a separate trip to officially hand in his resignation on the same day – two months after his own party booted him out of office.
Before this historical event, the Queen was seen carrying out a royal visit at the Thames Hospice in Maidenhead, Berkshire, on July 15.
This is one of the few royal duties Her Majesty was able to carry out in person in recent months, as mobility issues meant she often had to cancel multiple events and appearances.
Her Majesty was accompanied by Princess Anne for her visit to Thames Hospice.
She went with her daughter Princess Anne – the last member of the Royal Family she was photographed with.
Her Majesty travelled to her beloved Scotland for this first public engagement, the first since the Jubilee at the end of June.
She accepted flowers during the Ceremony of the Keys event in Edinburgh – believed to be the oldest military tradition in the world.
The Ceremony is used to kickstart what is known in Scotland as ‘Royal Week’ and elsewhere as ‘Holyrood Week’.
She was joined by her youngest son, Edward, and his wife, Sophie.
The Queen met up with first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon on June 29, as is tradition during the annual celebration.
The Queen was full of smiles as she visited Edinburgh in June.
Queen Elizabeth receives first minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.
The monarch was seen without a walking stick just a few days before, when she was awarded a special Canterbury Cross for her ‘unstinting service’ to the Church of England on June 21.
The Archbishop of Canterbury handed the Queen the small silver cross, inspired by a 9th century Saxon brooch at Windsor Castle.
In the citation for the cross, which was also given to the Queen as a framed piece of calligraphy, the archbishop praised the monarch and hailed ‘her care for the unity of her people and the welfare of the least fortunate’ as a ‘constant inspiration to the whole church’.
The Queen’s life was ‘an example of a Christian life well led,’ he said.
The cross was specially crafted for the Queen to mark her 70 years on the throne.
Of course, Her Majesty was seen several times during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations – although her mobility issues meant she attended much fewer events than usual.
She watched the famous flypast with close members of her family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in June.
The Queen did not feel well enough to go to the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on June 3, but crowds swarmed the historial location in her honour.
Brits were thrilled when Her Majesty made a surprise appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony two days later.
It was the last day of her Jubilee celebrations and tens of thousands crammed into The Mall to take their chance to serenade their sovereign with the national anthem in unison.
The Queen was joined by her family members to watch the Platinum Jubilee flypast on the Buckingham Palace’s balcony (Picture: Getty)
Smiling Queen makes surprise appearance on palace balcony with royals
She later thanked the country for its support in one of her last messages to the nation.
Her heartfelt statement read: ‘When it comes to how to mark seventy years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first.
‘But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.
‘While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability supported by my family.
‘I have been inspired by the kindness, joy and kinship that has been so evident in recent days, and I hope this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.
‘I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes and for the part you have all played in these happy celebrations. Elizabeth R.’
There’s no ‘guidebook’ when it comes to reigning for 70 years, she said.
Buckingham Palace anounnced Her Majesty’s death at around 6.30pm this evening.
A note pinned to the gates of Buckingham Palace read: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon
‘The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.’
Prince William, now first in line to the throne, also headed to Scotland, with Prince Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Wessex.
Prince Harry travelled without the Duchess of Sussex to be at the Queen’s bedside.
Reign of King Charles III begins after death of the Queen
Double rainbow over Buckingham Palace moments before Queen's death was announced.
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