Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has disclosed that Queen Elizabeth II was diagnosed with "a form of bone cancer" in the last years of her life. The revelation comes from Johnson's forthcoming book, "Unleashed," where he recounts his final interactions with the queen.
In a bombshell revelation, former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has disclosed that Queen Elizabeth II was battling "a form of bone cancer" during the final years of her life. The disclosure comes from Johnson's forthcoming book, "Unleashed," where he recounts his final interactions with the queen prior to her passing in September 2022.
According to Johnson, the queen was diagnosed with the cancer during the summer of 2022. He writes that "her doctors were worried that at any time she could enter a sharp decline." Johnson had been informed of the queen's condition about a year prior to his visit to Balmoral Castle, two days before her death.
Queen Elizabeth II Battled Bone Cancer in Her Final Days, Former PM Boris Johnson Reveals
Despite her physical ailments, Johnson noted that the queen's mind remained "completely unimpaired." He described her as "pale and more stooped" during their meeting, with "dark bruising on her hands and wrists" from medical treatments.
Johnson and his wife, Carrie, sensed a lingering fatigue among the staff at Balmoral, and the queen's private secretary, Sir Edward Young, warned Johnson that she had "gone down quite a bit over the summer."
Queen Elizabeth II Battled Bone Cancer in Her Final Days, Former PM Boris Johnson Reveals
Rumors of the queen's cancer diagnosis have circulated for some time, but they have never been officially confirmed. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter, stating that "this should not be seen as guidance of fact."
Johnson's account provides a glimpse into the queen's private struggle during her final months. He praised her resilience and determination to fulfill her duties, even as her health declined.
Queen Elizabeth II Battled Bone Cancer in Her Final Days, Former PM Boris Johnson Reveals
"She knew her kingdom was infinitely capable of rebounding and recovering," Johnson wrote. "We just needed to get a grip, and get on with it."
Johnson emphasized the queen's unwavering spirit despite her illness. "She seemed pale and more stooped, and she had dark bruising on her hands and wrists, probably from drips or injections," he wrote. "But her mind – as Edward had also said – was completely unimpaired by her illness, and from time to time in our conversation she still flashed that great white smile in its sudden mood-lifting beauty."
Queen Elizabeth II Battled Bone Cancer in Her Final Days, Former PM Boris Johnson Reveals
The former prime minister's account provides a poignant reminder of the queen's human frailty and her extraordinary strength of character. Despite facing a debilitating illness, she remained committed to serving her country until the very end.
Johnson's book, "Unleashed," is set to be released on February 28, 2023.
Queen Elizabeth II Battled Bone Cancer in Her Final Days, Former PM Boris Johnson Reveals
