Amber Phillips
Updated on: October 16, 2024 8:25 pm GMT
In a surprising revelation, former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that the late Queen Elizabeth II battled bone cancer during her final years. This is the first time a prominent British politician has disclosed possible details about her health, previously kept secret throughout her reign.
The Revelation in Johnson’s Memoir
Boris Johnson discusses the queen’s health condition in his upcoming memoir, “Unleashed,” set for release at the end of October. Johnson stated that he “knew for a year or more” that the monarch had a form of bone cancer before he resigned in September 2022, just two days before her passing.
Officially, the cause of death was listed as “old age” on her death certificate. Johnson’s comments break royal protocol, which typically keeps private family matters out of the public eye. In his memoir, he reflects on his final meeting with the queen, noting that she appeared “pale and more stooped” and described her hands as having “dark bruising” likely related to medical treatments.
Reactions from Buckingham Palace
<pThe revelations about the late queen's health have reportedly caused “displeasure” within Buckingham Palace. Editor of Spiked Online, Tom Slater, mentioned that some sources around the palace felt uneasy about the information being shared. He noted on Sky News, “That being said, it has already been mentioned in a couple of other books which have been published recently.”
Johnson’s Personal Reflections
Johnson reminisced about the queen’s remarkable spirit despite her illness. He described moments during their conversations when she would “flash that great white smile in its sudden mood-lifting beauty.” This sentiment shows that even in her declining health, Queen Elizabeth II maintained a positive demeanor.
He also recounted how the queen occasionally informed him about events, such as an incident with a Royal Air Force jet—a moment he described as “doubly embarrassing,” as he had not yet learned of it himself.
Public and Royal Responses
<pThe revelation has sparked mixed reactions among the public and royal observers. Some view it as an essential insight into the late queen’s private struggles, while others argue it undermines the traditional confidentiality surrounding the monarchy's health matters.
- Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September 2022 at the age of 96.
- The official cause of death was recorded as “old age.”
- Johnson’s memoir offers one of the few glimpses into the queen’s health issues.
- Concerns about royal privacy were raised following Johnson’s comments.
Closing Thoughts
As the U.K. continues to reflect on the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, Boris Johnson’s assertions in “Unleashed” provide an unexpected look at her final months. This candid admission challenges long-standing norms about the royal family’s privacy and may change how future leaders approach sensitive topics involving the monarchy. Readers and royal watchers alike are left to ponder the implications of such revelations in the context of British history and public life.
If you want to learn more about this topic, check out the article on CBS News.
