Queen Elizabeth II feared 'difficult' funeral before Balmoral death, daughter Princess Anne reveals

June 2024 · 3 minute read

Explore More

The late Queen Elizabeth II was worried that her funeral would be too “difficult” to organize if she died at Balmoral, her daughter Princess Anne has revealed.

The late monarch died in her beloved Scottish royal residence on Sept. 8, 2022, at age 96.

But in the days leading up to her death, Her Late Majesty had several conversations with her family about her place of death and needed to be persuaded to do what felt right.

“I think there was a moment when she felt that it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral,” The Princess Royal said in “Charles III: The Coronation Year” documentary, set to air on Dec. 26.

“I think we did try to persuade her that shouldn’t be part of the decision-making process,” added Anne, who boasted a close bond with her late mother throughout her life.

The Queen’s decision to be at Balmoral Castle for her death came as no surprise to many royalists, who know that she had a deep love for the Scottish Highlands and spent a lot of time there.

Princess Anne also talked about seeing the Imperial State Crown taken off the Queen’s coffin for the last time at St George’s Chapel at Windsor during the funeral.

The Queen died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Sept. 8, 2022. AP
The late monarch was very fond of Balmoral Castle, and spent a lot of time there throughout the years. Getty Images

“I rather weirdly felt a sense of relief — that’s it, finished,” she shared. “That responsibility being moved on.”

The documentary follows the royal family’s adjustment to life without Queen Elizabeth, as well as their acclimatization to having a new monarch fill the role.

Shortly before her death, Queen Elizabeth was paid a visit by Dr. Iain Greenshields, the moderator of the general assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The Imperial State Crown was taken off the Queen’s coffin for the last time at St George’s Chapel at the funeral. AP
The late Queen’s children; King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, pictured at her funeral. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Greenshields said the late monarch spoke of how it “gave her a great deal of peace and pleasure to be at Balmoral” in the final moments of her life.

Anne added that it was “pure serendipity” that she was by her mother’s side during her death.

Elsewhere in the documentary, Anne praised Queen Camilla for giving King Charles “outstanding” support in his home and work life.

Anne added that it was “pure serendipity” that she was by her mother’s side during her death. Getty Images

“I’ve known her a long time off and on. Her understanding of the role and how much difference it makes to the King has been absolutely outstanding,” she said.

“This role is not something that she’d be a natural for but she does it really well. She provides that change of speed and tone, that’s equally important.”

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7kGtma2pfmru1sdGtmKKmnZq7tXvQrpyepl2auarGwJucraBdnrZussSaqZ6cXZm2p7LInKylrF2bwq%2Bx0ZqjZpqVm7yzsYybmKWln6eurXnDnpitoF2Zrrazx62cq2Wgp7avr8SsqmaZnqOybr7Er5yapKNk