Queen Elizabeth II had ‘form of bone cancer’ before her death, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims

Oct 1, 2024 at 4:09 PM

The Queen's Final Days: A Revealing Glimpse into Her Private Struggle

In a startling revelation, former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has shed light on the private health challenges faced by Queen Elizabeth II in the final years of her life. According to Johnson's forthcoming book, "Unleashed," the beloved monarch had been battling a form of bone cancer, a detail that had not been previously disclosed to the public.

Uncovering the Queen's Untold Story

A Bone Cancer Diagnosis

In his book, Johnson recounts his final interactions with the Queen, including a visit to her Balmoral residence just two days before her passing in September 2022. During this visit, Johnson was informed by the Queen's private secretary, Edward Young, that the Queen had been living with "a form of bone cancer" for over a year. This revelation sheds new light on the Queen's declining health in the months leading up to her death, which was officially attributed to old age.

The news of the Queen's bone cancer diagnosis comes as a surprise, as official documents released after her death had confirmed the cause as old age. However, Johnson's account provides a more detailed and personal perspective on the Queen's private struggle. According to the former Prime Minister, the Queen's doctors had been "worried that at any time she could enter a sharp decline," indicating the seriousness of her condition.

While rumors of the Queen's potential battle with myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, had circulated in the past, this is the first time a former government official has openly discussed the Queen's health issues. The revelation serves as a poignant reminder of the private challenges faced by even the most public figures, and the resilience and dedication the Queen displayed in her final months.

A Stoic Monarch's Final Days

Despite her declining health, Johnson's account paints a picture of a Queen who remained steadfast and determined to fulfill her duties until the very end. During their meeting, Johnson noted that the Queen appeared "pale and more stooped," with "dark bruising on her hands and wrists, probably from drips or injections." However, he also remarked that her mind remained "completely unimpaired by her illness," and that she still managed to flash her "great white smile" during their conversation.

The former Prime Minister also recounted the Queen's unwavering commitment to the smooth transition of power, even as her own health was deteriorating. According to Johnson, the Queen's secretary informed him that she "had known all summer that she was going, but was determined to hang on and do her last duty: to oversee the peaceful and orderly transition from one government to the next."

This dedication to her role and her country, even in the face of personal adversity, is a testament to the Queen's strength of character and her unwavering sense of duty. Johnson's account provides a rare glimpse into the private struggles of a public figure who, until the end, remained steadfast in her commitment to serving her people.

The Queen's Enduring Legacy

The revelation of the Queen's bone cancer diagnosis adds a new layer of complexity to the public's understanding of her final years. It serves as a poignant reminder that even the most revered and respected public figures are not immune to the challenges of aging and illness.

However, the Queen's stoic resilience and unwavering dedication to her role, as described by Johnson, only serve to further cement her legacy as one of the most remarkable and admired leaders of our time. Her ability to maintain her composure and continue to fulfill her duties, even in the face of personal adversity, is a testament to her strength of character and her deep sense of responsibility to her country and her people.

As the world continues to mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, the insights provided by Boris Johnson's account offer a unique and deeply personal perspective on the final chapter of her extraordinary life. It is a reminder that even the most public of figures are human, and that the true measure of a leader lies not only in their public achievements, but in the private struggles they overcome in service of their nation.