Before Queen Elizabeth passed away, she left two personal letters for her son, King Charles and for her private secretary – leaving behind her last duties and farewells

Queen Elizabeth II wrote two heartbreaking personal letters before she passed away on September 8, 2022 – one for her son, King Charles and another for her top aide.

It has been revealed from an extract of royal biographer Robert Hardman’s upcoming book, The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, that staff members found the two letters the Queen had written.

In the days following the Queen’s death at Balmoral Castle, senior members of staff, led by the monarch’s private secretary Sir Edward Young were busy making plans when a footman brought them the Queen’s famous red box.

Robert wrote in his book: “It was the last one that had gone up to the Queen before her death.”

He continued: “Like all red boxes, it had just two keys, one for the monarch and the other for her duty private secretary.”

When opening the red box, private secretary Sir Edward Young discovered a sealed letter to Charles and a private letter addressed to himself.

What was written in the letters remains unknown, but it is strongly suggested that the Queen had been preparing for her impending end and left behind any final directions or farewells.

The Queen is reported to have left a personal letter for her son, King Charles and private secretary Sir Edward Young (Image: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The royal biographer wrote: “We will probably never know what they said. However, it is clear enough that the Queen had known that the end was imminent and had planned accordingly. Were they final instructions or final farewells? Or both?”

He added: “Elizabeth II had been completing her own last pieces of unfinished business.”

Along with the personal letters, the Queen is also thought to have finalised her list of candidates to join the Order of Merit, which would have been her last royal duty.

The paperwork is said to have been completed and returned for Sir Edward to arrange.

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, having succeeded her father, King George VI at the age of 25.

Queen Elizabeth II on September 6, 2022, at Balmoral Castle (Image: JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Throughout her reign, the Queen was ably supported by her “strength and stay” of 73 years, Prince Philip.

The couple married in 1947 and had four children: King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

She also became the first monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 – just months before her passing.

Her Majesty died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96 and is buried in the King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.