In his new memoir, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asserts that the late Queen Elizabeth II had been suffering from bone cancer before her death.
ABC News reported that the memoir titled "Unleashed" by Boris Johnson, has stirred significant controversy by claiming that Queen Elizabeth II struggled with bone cancer for more than a year before her demise in September 2022. This private health struggle was never publicly disclosed by Buckingham Palace, adding a layer of secrecy to her final days.
Queen Elizabeth II, known for her remarkable stamina and duty throughout her 70-year reign, met with Boris Johnson at Balmoral Castle shortly before her passing.
During their last interaction, Johnson noted significant physical changes in the queen. He described her as appearing pale and stooped, with visible bruising that he suspected was related to medical treatments.
The private nature of this meeting and the disclosures made therein speak volumes about the discretion historically practiced by Buckingham Palace concerning the health of the British monarchy. While the palace confirmed that the cause of death was "old age," it opted not to comment further on any additional ailments, including the bone cancer revelation made by Johnson.
According to Johnson, the queen was fully aware of her serious health condition but chose to maintain her royal duties until the end. "She had known all summer that she was going, but was determined to hang on and do her last duty," he wrote.
This testament to her character was echoed in the queen's efforts to meet with Liz Truss, her last official act as monarch, which was also the first time a ceremonial transfer of power occurred at Balmoral Castle instead of Buckingham Palace.
In addition to the private nature of her last official acts, photos from her final public appearance showed a still-dignified but frail queen. Johnson shared his thoughts on her resilience, noting that despite her physical condition, "her mind ... was completely unimpaired." She still managed to exhibit the warmth she was famous for, marked by her "sudden mood-lifting beauty."
The release of Johnson's memoir comes at a time when the current members of the royal family, including King Charles III and Princess Kate, are taking a significantly different approach by being open about their health issues. The king recently shared his cancer diagnosis, and Princess Kate revealed her ongoing chemotherapy treatment.
This generational shift in transparency has been pointed out by royal commentators as a pivot towards modernity within the British monarchy, possibly influenced by public demand and changing attitudes towards famous personalities' privacy.
Chris Ship, a royal editor at ITV News, emphasized that Johnson's revelations might stem from understanding the queen's preference for confidentiality: “What the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has done here is share a private piece of information that he had from the late queen. She did not want to share her health condition.”
The ethical implications of revealing such personal health information posthumously are vigorously debated. Critics argue whether such disclosures, even after death, should respect the individual’s right to privacy especially if kept undisclosed by choice during their lifetime.
In addition, the timing and context of these revelations linked to a memoir release add layers of complexity to the ongoing discussion about public figures' privacy versus public interest.
While Buckingham Palace has maintained its policy of silence regarding the queen's health, the reactions to these revelations and the evolving openness of the royal family continue to shape the dialogue surrounding Britain's monarchy in the 21st century.