Queen Elizabeth sought to create 'happy memories' for great-grandchildren
Queen Elizabeth made special arrangements for her family before her passing
In a moving revelation from the upcoming biography, Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, author Robert Hardman, describes how the late Queen Elizabeth II prioritised family unity during her final months.
The book, set for release on 9 April 2026, details the monarch's efforts to gather her twelve great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in the summer of 2022.
According to excerpts serialised by the Daily Mail, the Queen extended an open invitation to the youngest generation of royals, hoping to ensure they cherished their time with her during her traditional Scottish respite.
Hardman notes, "The Queen wanted all the great-grandchildren to come up to Balmoral at some point over that summer, even if the Sussexes might not be able to make it."
This desire for a joyful family gathering came as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle remained settled in California, having stepped back from official duties in 2020.
Despite the geographical and logistical challenges, the late monarch remained focused on the emotional well-being of the children, including Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
A close friend of the family explained the Queen's motivation to Hardman, stating, "'She wanted to make sure that they all had a really happy memory of her.'"
This period followed the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, which marked the last time the Sussex family visited the United Kingdom as a unit.
Queen Elizabeth passed away at the age of 96 in September 2022, leaving behind a sprawling family that included the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales.