The last photo taken of Queen Elizabeth before her death
The poignant final photograph of Queen Elizabeth II shows the long-reigning monarch serving her country until the very end.
Her Majesty “died peacefully” at 96 in Scotland on Thursday — just 48 hours after publicly appointing Liz Truss the new Prime Minister of Britain.
The queen summoned the conservative politician to Balmoral Castle on Tuesday to participate in an ancient swearing-in ceremony known as “kissing of hands.”
Elizabeth II appointed 13 British Prime Ministers over the course of her 70-year reign, and usually conducted the historic ceremonies at Buckingham Palace in London.
Due to “mobility issues,” however, the queen was unable to travel from Scotland back to the British capital, with Truss instead flying north to meet with the monarch.
Photos from their meeting were the last snaps ever captured of the queen, and show the royal steadfastly performing her duties, despite appearing frail and in considerable pain.
The monarch, just two days from her death, sported a smile while dressed in a plaid skirt, gray cardigan and pale blue button-down.
Looking like any other elderly grandmother, Elizabeth II walked with a stick and clutched her trusty black handbag.
Noticeably, the queen had a dark blue bruise on her right hand, which set off alarm among royal-watchers.
One Twitter pundit shared a photo from the queen’s last swearing-in ceremony with Boris Johnson back in 2019 in a bid to highlight how her appearance has altered in three years.
The queen’s health had been in the headlines since October last year when she was spotted using a walking stick for the first time since 2004. An insider said at the time that the assistance was for her “comfort.”
Her Majesty was hospitalized later that month and consequently canceled a trip to Ireland before returning to royal duties.
In May, a Buckingham Palace statement revealed that the queen would “reluctantly” miss a royal engagement due to “mobility problems.” The decision was made in “consultation with her doctors,” according to the palace.
Meanwhile, in June, the monarch missed Royal Ascot for the first time since her coronation seven decades ago.
She also backed out of events during the massive Platinum Jubilee festivities due to feelings of “discomfort.”
The death of the beloved monarch came on Thursday evening British time, just hours after Buckingham Palace announced that her doctors had been “concerned for Her Majesty’s health.”
The queen’s heir and oldest son, Charles — who has now become King Charles III — released a statement after the death was announced, mourning his late mother.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty, The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” the 76-year-old said.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
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