King Charles III and Camilla only learned of Queen Elizabeth II's worsening health just before it became public knowledge, a royal expert has claimed. Newsweek’s Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston told The Royal Beat how the monarch was made aware of the downturn in his mother's health via a phone call shortly before the rest of the world heard the news on Thursday, September 8.
During the phone call, everyone was asked to be silent as the health update was passed along. The senior royals then had little time to wrap their heads around the upsetting information as Charles and Camilla were quickly taken off by helicopter to the Balmoral estate to be by the Queen's bedside.
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Speaking on the True Royalty TV show, Jack Royston said: "Charles and Camilla were in Dumfries House. Camilla was actually about to record an interview with Jenna Bush Hager, who said she heard footsteps running in the hallway.
"Charles took a call, everything was silent, and they were asked to be silent.
"Then the next thing she knew, Charles and Camilla were in a helicopter. And that was at 12.30 [on Thursday 8th September], so that was around exactly the same time that we were told.
"So they didn’t wait, they didn’t give Charles an hour or two hours [before telling the public]."
Prince William, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex also rushed to Balmoral following news of the Queen's health. They were seen at the airport before William drove them to the estate. However the Queen had already passed away by the time they arrived.
The Queen's only daughter, Princess Anne, was already in Scotland and said in a moving statement that she was with her mum for her final 24 hours.
She wrote: "I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.
We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss."
The Queen's state funeral is set to take place on Monday, September 19. The day has been declared a Bank Holiday to allow people to watch the service at Westminster Abbey. Hundreds of thousands of people have travelled to London to see the late Monarch's coffin as it Lies-in-State ahead of the funeral.
Britain's longest-reigning monarch will be laid to rest in a private service in King George VI's chapel.
King Charles and other senior members of the Royal Family will walk behind her coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch when it leaves the funeral.
The funeral is scheduled to begin at 11am and will be broadcast to millions of people across the world, with some cinemas and theatres across the UK even holding free screenings for the public to watch.
Strict protocol has been issued to those invited, with around 500 heads of state, royals and other political luminaries likely to attend.
