Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter, Princess Anne, has revealed she was able to be beside her mother in Her Majesty’s final 24 hours of life.
The 72-year-old Royal also joined the travelling funeral procession, accompanying the Queen’s coffin from Balmoral to Edinburgh, before reaching the final destination at Buckingham Palace in London.
In her first statement since the Queen’s passing, the Princess Royal said it’s been “an honour and a privilege” to spend these cherished final moments with her mother.
“I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life,” the Princess said.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many of these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.
“We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who shares our sense of loss. We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted.
“I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch.
“To my mother, The Queen, thank you.”
Thousands lined the streets outside Buckingham Palace, crying “God save the Queen!” as Her Majesty’s hearse arrived at the palace gates on Tuesday, September 13.
The Queen’s coffin will be taken to the Houses of Parliament by a horse-drawn gun carriage and will remain there for four days before making the final journey to Westminster Abbey for Her Majesty’s funeral on Monday, September 19.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to London for the late Monarch’s funeral, alongside Governor-General David Hurley, the acting High Commissioner Lynette Wood, and 10 additional favoured Australians.
Albanese announced the full list of Australians invited to the funeral on social media, which included Danny Abdullah, Saba Abraham, Dylan Alcott, Valmai Dempsey, Trudy Lin, Professor Helen Milroy, Kim Smith, Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann, Chris Waller, and Shanna Whan.