The Queenwas described as “very happy” earlier this week when she met with new Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoralaccording to the photographer who has shared the story of the last picture of the late monarch.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on Thursday at her Scottish home of Balmoral but she was said to have been in good spirits just two days earlier when she greeted the new Prime Minister.
Scotland based photographer Jane Barlow was sent to Balmoral to capture the moment Queen Elizabeth greeted new PM Liz Truss and told Sky News how “very happy” the monarch was.
For all of the latest updates, sign up for OK!'s Royal newsletter.
Jane took some portraits of the Queen as they waited for the Queen to arrive and said she was in “in good spirits” despite appearing “frail”.
The pair discussed the very British topic of the gloomy weather as the rain poured down outside the estate but Jane has said the Queen’s mood was quite the opposite.
She said: “I got a lot of smiles from her."
Jane recalled the “big smile” her majesty greeted the new PM with when she arrived.
Jane added: "I was there to photograph her meeting the new prime minister but for me the best picture was the one of the Queen on her own. And it has obviously become more significant now."
The photographer noted that the Queen “certainly did look more frail” than in pictures taken of her earlier in the summer.
Wearing a grey cardigan and pleated tartan skirt, the Monarch leant on a walking stick for support but was standing as she held an audience with the incoming prime minister and invited her to form a government.
The Queen decided not to travel to London to receive Boris Johnson and his successor at Buckingham Palace as she normally would have – and instead invited them to Balmoral.
The Queen’s devotion to a life of service has meant she has fulfilled her official duties well into her nineties, from hosting diplomats, ambassadors, and Heads of State, to overseeing new sessions of Parliament, bestowing awards, supporting charities and addressing the nation during the recent coronavirus pandemic.
The Monarch experienced health issues after contracting Covid-19 in February and despite her determination to return to duties, she was forced to miss numerous events in order to rest in the months prior to her death.
Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral, where she traditionally spends August to October every year. While in Scotland, the Queen usually attends a handful of events but this time, she was forced to miss a number of much-loved occasionsincluding the Braemar Gathering.
READ NEXT:
King Charles III shares heartbreak in first address as nation's monarch after Queen's death
What happens now? Queen's earliest funeral date and whether day will be a bank holiday
Closures and cancellations after Queen's death – from Proms and shops to TV
King Charles's reign to see money, passports and national anthem change
For the latest updates on the Royal Family, sign up to OK!'s weekly royals newsletter
Source: Read Full Article