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It has been two years since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, an event that broke the hearts of not only the royal family but the British people as a whole. On September 8, 2022, the country mourned the loss of the only monarch most had ever known after news broke that she had died peacefully at her Scottish estate of Balmoral at the age of 96.
This year, as the second anniversary of her death arrives, the royal family is honoring Elizabeth's memory and remarkable 70-year reign in their own ways. The Royal Family's official social media accounts shared a photograph of the smiling Queen from a 2019 summer party at Buckingham Palace, along with the caption "Remembering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926 - 2022". Prince William and Catherine, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, previously led a small memorial service at St. David's Cathedral in Wales in the aftermath of her death, paying their respects on behalf of the nation.
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William, now heir to the throne as his father Charles takes over as King, was especially close to his beloved "Granny" in her later years. In a moving tribute shortly after her passing, he spoke of feeling both deep grief but also immense gratitude for the wisdom and reassurance Elizabeth provided him well into his forties. As revealed in recent biographies, William was able to spend valuable time with his grandmother in her final months thanks to relocating nearer to Balmoral, a move fully supported by Catherine.
For the Princess of Wales, it was important that her husband be geographically closer to the Queen in order to support both her and Prince Charles as she entered her final days. According to sources, the increased proximity made "a real difference", allowing William and his grandmother to meet in person on a regular basis and speak by phone several times a week. Their closeness in those precious last months brought William much comfort as he came to terms with theQueen's death.
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On this second anniversary of Elizabeth's passing, King Charles himself was spotted attending a small church service near Balmoral Estate, no doubt seeking solace, reflection and prayers for his beloved mother. Accompanied by Queen Consort Camilla, the pair arrived at nearby Crathie Kirk, a small granite church that the late Queen had been a lifelong worshipper at. For Charles, sources say, the sorrow of losing his mother is still profoundly felt, and a private trip to Balmoral allows him to grieve and remember Elizabeth in his own way.
Reflecting on that fateful day two years ago when he first learned of her death, Charles’ biographer Robert Hardman recalled how the then Prince of Wales was formally addressed as "Your Majesty" for the first time over the phone while driving to be with his mother. Sir Edward Young, the Queen's private secretary, was the one to break the news to Charles in that initial phone call. While stopping his car in shock, the King had to process both the loss of his mother but also the seismic change in his own role that her passing signaled.
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Despite the turmoil of the past two years, which included Prince Harry and Meghan's controversial interview with Oprah and family issues stemming from their departure as senior working royals, the King has strived to honor and protect his mother's legacy. However, recent reports suggesting Harry may wish to return to the UK for visits have been met with skepticism, with many feeling the Duke treated the beloved Queen poorly in her later years.
It's believed Elizabeth struggled deeply with Harry's decision to step back from royal duties and move abroad after the Sandringham summit of early 2020. In her final two years, battling both family feuds and health issues like bone cancer, the Queen desperately wanted peace in her family but found little thanks to the continued transatlantic back-and-forth with the Sussexes. Regardless of any family rifts, Harry did rush to the Queen's bedside in her very final hours on September 8th, a small mercy for a grandson mourning his beloved 'Granny'.
As the second anniversary of the late monarch's passing arrives, the Royal Family continues to honor her impeccable 70-year reign and remember the woman behind the crown who devoted her life to public service. While deeply missed by the King and the nation, Queen Elizabeth II's legacy will endure and inspire for generations to come.
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