Her Majesty died on Thursday at the royal retreat where she spent many happy summers with her beloved Philip. 4 The Queen spent her final weeks at Balmoral CastleCredit: PA 4 She enjoyed spending summers at the royal retreat with her familyCredit: PA 4 Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Balmoral in 1972Credit: Getty She spent her last hours in the bosom of her family, the place she was most at home. And now it has been revealed how she spent her last ‘fun’ days. The Queen spent three months every summer at the Scottish castle and “kicked off her shoes” and relaxed. This 50,000-acre estate by the River Dee in the Scottish Highlands is where she could be a mum and a wife – a world away from life as the most famous woman on the planet. She arrived at Balmoral for the last time on July 23, her second summer without Prince Philip. He flew in by private helicopter and was expected to stay until October to take some time away from royal duties. It comes as… Her Majesty initially stayed at the seven-bedroom Craigowan Lodge in Royal Deeside, before moving a mile down the road to live at Balmoral Castle on August 9. Here she stayed with her favorite staff, including Page of the Backstairs Paul Whybrew – who is 6ft 6in and is called Tall Paul – and her sergeant Barry Mitford. The couple brought the lifelong horse fan the Racing Post every morning before sitting down to watch TV. And her right-hand woman and best friend, Angela Kelly, who worked as the Queen’s personal assistant and hairdresser, was with her until the end. Until her death, the Queen welcomed visitors who kept her company. On the last weekend before she died, Dr Iain Greenshields, moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, stayed with her at the castle. She said she was in “very good spirits” and told how she was touched by how she spoke about her beloved Prince Philip. They had dinner together on Saturday and lunch on Sunday – and even eerily brushed the subject of the afterlife. And he said the Queen appeared to be enjoying spending time at her beloved mountain home. He said: “In conversation with her, she took me to the window and looked out over her gardens with great pride and affection. “And I think that’s where she would have wanted to spend her last days and I would think that the family is comforted by that.” She then continued to “reflect on life” as they discussed her faith and the afterlife.
LAST DAYS
Two days later, on 6 September, the Queen hosted an audience with new Prime Minister Liz Truss. The photos showed the couple at the castle for the traditional “kissing of hands” ceremony. Truss was the Queen’s 15th Prime Minister during her 70-plus years as Monarch. Photos showed her smiling in the green living room as she chatted with Truss for 30 minutes. Two days later, on September 8, the Queen died “peacefully” at Balmoral. The King and Princess Anne both managed to reach her bedside before she died. Senior members of the royal family faced a grim race against time to say goodbye after doctors shared the tragic news that Her Majesty had just hours to live. Unfortunately, only two of the Queen’s four children made it to her bedside at Balmoral in time. Princess Anne and King Charles were already in Scotland on royal business when the heartbreaking news was announced. 4 The Queen was an avid fan of horsesCredit: AP:Associated Press
