Queen Elizabeth II made a lifelong commitment to serving her country and firmly believed that duty came first. This principle not only defined her reign but also how she lived her life.
It appears that the late monarch felt her grandson, Prince William, the future King, may never live up to her high standards. According to the Daily Mail, royal author Robert Jobson revealed in his forthcoming biography, The Windsor Legacy, that Prince William's outlook on duty "frustrated" the Queen, a view which allegedly stemmed from her final engagement.
He claimed that she felt he may become a "celebrity monarch", while she viewed herself as a symbol of stability.
Back in July 2022, just eight weeks before her death, Mr Jobson recalled her final engagement in England.
Queen Elizabeth, then aged 96, was due to attend the official opening of Thames Hospice. The 29-bedroom facility in Bray Lake, Berkshire, provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to adults with life-limiting illnesses. She toured the facility, spoke with staff, volunteers, and patients, and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
This engagement was allegedly close to her heart, but on the day of the ceremony, she was "particularly frail". To stand in her place she reportedly asked Prince William, now 43, to attend on her behalf.
The royal biographer shared, "William's schedule might well have accommodated this last-minute duty, but he cried off, citing fatherly duties. This left his grandmother not only disappointed but irritated." At the time Queen Elizabeth was left frustrated, and Mr Jobson claimed she said: "Isn't that what nannies and policemen are for?"'
Despite her ailing health, the Queen prioritised her responsibilities to the nation and attended the event. She leaned on the Princess Royal, who stood in for William.
Princess Anne accompanied the late Queen just a short distance from Windsor Castle to the hospice, where she appeared in good form and even showcased her humorous side to the staff.
This was to be her final engagement in England before her death in Scotland on September 8 that year.
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