In his upcoming memoir, Unleashed, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims that Queen Elizabeth II suffered from bone cancer during the last year of her life. Johnson describes the queen’s deteriorating health in the year leading up to her death on September 8, 2022, at 96.
Johnson recalls seeing the queen just two days before her death, noting her frail appearance but sharp mental state. “She seemed pale and more stooped, and she had dark bruising on her hands and wrists,” Johnson wrote, adding that she was determined to fulfill her duties despite her health struggles.
According to Johnson, the queen had been battling bone cancer for over a year. He wrote that her doctors were concerned about a rapid decline, which ultimately occurred. While these claims have not been confirmed, Buckingham Palace has refrained from commenting on the matter.
The queen’s last public engagement took place on September 6, 2022, when she met with newly elected Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle. Johnson highlighted her resilience during this time, praising her mental sharpness despite her physical challenges.
Buckingham Palace has previously stated that Queen Elizabeth died of natural causes, without mentioning any specific illnesses.
