In his memoir, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson disclosed that Queen Elizabeth II was aware she had bone cancer and was “going” before her passing. The Queen, who reigned for 96 years, passed away on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral, her estate in Scotland.
While her death was officially attributed to “natural causes,” Johnson’s revelations paint a more specific picture of her health. He noted that she had known for an entire summer that her time was near.
In an excerpt from his book, Unleashed, featured in The Mail on Sunday, Johnson recounted their last meeting, which took place just two days before her death. He reflected on how her private secretary, Edward Young, prepared him for the visit, mentioning her sharp decline in health.
“Good morning, Prime Minister,” she greeted him, but he immediately noticed her frailty—paleness, a stooped posture, and dark bruising on her hands, likely caused by medical treatments. Despite her physical condition, Johnson remarked that her mental faculties remained sharp, and she often flashed her signature bright smile.
This revelation about her health may be controversial, as Buckingham Palace has always maintained a stance of privacy regarding the royals’ medical conditions. While King Charles has openly discussed his health challenges, the palace has not confirmed the Queen’s long-term awareness of her illness.
Johnson detailed how, according to Young, the Queen had been determined to fulfill her duty of overseeing the transition between governments, including welcoming another departing Prime Minister to her historic list.
Royal historian Giles Brandreth also mentioned the Queen’s cancer in his own book, noting that she likely had myeloma, which is more common among the elderly. While treatment can alleviate symptoms, the illness currently has no cure.
However, the specifics of the Queen’s health may remain obscure, as royal documents are sealed from public access for a century, differing from government records that are released after just 20 years.