'Most Beloved of Places' : King Charles Says Queen Elizabeth 'Chose to Spend Her Final Days' in Scotland

Charles spoke candidly about his late mother's love for Scotland in a speech to the Scottish Parliament on Sunday, Sept

Published Time: 30.09.2024 - 14:31:11 Modified Time: 30.09.2024 - 14:31:11

Charles spoke candidly about his late mother's love for Scotland in a speech to the Scottish Parliament on Sunday, Sept. 29

King Charles is opening up about his late mother Queen Elizabeth’s final days at Balmoral.

Charles, 75, revealed in a speech addressing the Scottish Parliament on its 25th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 29, that Elizabeth, “chose” Balmoral as her final resting place because of her love for both her estate and the country as a whole.

"My late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there, in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days," the King said in his speech, while joined by Queen Camilla.

Before this Charles shared that Scotland “always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself” and that his "beloved grandmother was proudly Scottish.”

Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on Sept. 8, 2022.

The late monarch famously traveled to Balmoral at least once a year — typically at the end of summer with the rest of the royal family and her late husband Prince Philip.

Charles’ speech discussing his late mother comes after he and Camilla, 77, were spotted attending church on the second anniversary of his mother's death in the village of Crathie on Sept. 8.

His eldest son Prince William and his wife, Kate -

Middleton, were also seen at the church in Kate’s first appearance since she announced the completion of her chemotherapy.

In the documentary Charles III: The Coronation Year, released in December 2023, Princess Anne revealed how her mother, Queen Elizabeth, shared her concerns about the difficulties involved in her passing away at Balmoral.

“I think there was a moment when she felt it would be more difficult if she died at Balmoral,” Anne, 74, said. She then explained that the royal family steered the late queen away from worrying about practical duties and towards enjoying Balmoral instead. 

“I think we did try to persuade her that that shouldn’t be part of the decision-making process,” Anne said in the documentary, per The Daily Telegraph. “So I hope she felt that was right in the end, because we did.”

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Prince Harry shared his memories of visiting Balmoral with the queen in his book Spare, released in January 2023.

"To me, Balmoral was always simply paradise," he wrote."My family lived to be outdoors, especially Granny, who got cross if she didn't breathe at least an hour of fresh air each day."

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