British royal family news shows that royal biographer Robert Hardman’s new book, The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, drops on Jan. 18.
AMP in the post
In it he explores the life and times of King Charles but also touches on poignant moments in Queen Elizabeth’s life.
Queen Elizabeth died on Sept. 8, 2022 at the age 96. She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee that June, a royalpalooza event in recognition of her 70 years as regent.
Royal Family News – New Book Examines King Charles’ Life
In an excerpt of the book in the Daily Mail Hardman indicates that the late Queen’s exact cause of death is not known because she was “suffering from multiple conditions in her final year.”
She was 96 years old and the biographer notes that the queen understood that her “medical prognosis meant she was not going to emulate her mother and reach one hundred [the Queen Mother died at age 101 in 2002].
AMP in the post
Her husband died the previous year at age 99 and so “she had been determined to make the most of that year.”
To this end, a source told Hardman that the late monarch “made sure she had all the family over the summer, so that the young ones in particular would always be left with happy memories of her.” Well, most of them anyway. The ones whose parents did not abandon the monarchy for financial freedom.
Because of her thoughtfulness there is a lovely picture, released on her birthday this year, taken during her last summer at Balmoral showing the matriarch with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The photo was taken by Princess Kate and includes her children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5. Zara and Mike Tindall’s children were included, as were Peter Phillips’ daughters and Prince Edward and Sophie’s son and daughter.
AMP in the post
Royal Family News – Queen Elizabeth Cherished Her Family
Because of her state of the late monarch’s health, the idea of a regency was brought up. This situation would allow Charles to stand in for his mother if she was not able.
A senior former aide told Hardman that “With the Queen Mother going on past her 100th birthday, of course we had to think that the Queen would reach the same age. A regency seemed almost inevitable. That would have been very difficult.”
According to Hardman, Charles was reluctant to discuss the matter at length: “He didn’t want to dwell on the details… I think he felt that if you reach out for something, you are tempting fate.”
Be sure to catch up on everything happening with the royal family. Come back here often for royal family news and updates.
Editorial credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com