Focus on the BIG picture.

Boris Johnson claims in memoir Queen Elizabeth II had bone cancer

In his forthcoming memoir, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stirred controversy by breaching royal protocol, claiming that Queen Elizabeth II was suffering from bone cancer prior to her passing.
The book, set for release on 10 October and currently being serialised by the Daily Mail – where Johnson is a columnist – reflects on the Queen’s final days at Balmoral, Scotland. Johnson resigned from office just two days before the Queen’s death in September 2022, amidst ongoing speculation about the precise cause of her passing.

"I had known for over a year that she had a form of bone cancer, and her doctors feared she could decline rapidly at any moment," Johnson wrote in the memoir. This revelation marks the first time a senior government figure has publicly commented on what might have contributed to the Queen's death, which was officially attributed to “old age” on her death certificate.

Johnson is not the first former prime minister to share personal reflections on the Queen in an autobiography. However, while leaders such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron have touched on their time with the monarch, Johnson’s account stands out for its level of detail.

As is customary, Buckingham Palace has chosen not to comment on books about the Royal Family and has neither confirmed nor denied Johnson’s claims.

Johnson, who served as Prime Minister from 2019 to 2022, recounts his final audience with the Queen at Balmoral, where he submitted his resignation. Upon arrival, he was met by the Queen’s private secretary, Edward Young, who informed him of her significant decline over the summer. Johnson reflects that during their last meeting in the Queen’s drawing room, it was clear her health had worsened.

"She seemed paler and more stooped, with dark bruises on her hands and wrists, likely from drips or injections," Johnson wrote. "But her mind, as Edward had assured me, remained sharp, and she still occasionally flashed that radiant white smile, which lifted the mood instantly."

Johnson described the privilege of his weekly audiences with the Queen as "a balm" and spoke of her enduring influence. "She exuded a sense of service, patience, and leadership that made you feel you would, if necessary, give your life for her," he remarked. "It may sound extreme to some, but that loyalty remains central to our system. We need someone kind, wise, and above politics to embody the best of our nation, and she did so with remarkable brilliance."

The Queen, known for her discretion, never publicly shared details of her health. Royal household aides continue to assert that members of the Royal Family are entitled to the same medical privacy as any other individual.

While King Charles III and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, have been more forthcoming about their personal health challenges, both have refrained from revealing specific details of their cancer diagnoses. Aides have explained that they chose to share their experiences to raise awareness, rather than focus on the particulars of their illnesses.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
These robotic arms deliver a massage that can be customized to the user's needs
Kamala Harris says “nothing comes to mind” when asked if she would have done anything different than Biden over the past four years.
Kamala Harris Caught Using Hidden Teleprompter at Town Hall. Who's Pulling the Strings?
Prospect of UK Rejoining the EU Discussed by Peter Mandelson
Historic Floods Reshape Sahara Desert Landscape
Noel Tata Appointed Chairman of Tata Trusts
Brazilian Man Arrested for Decades-long Abuse and Imprisonment of Family
EU Plans Sanctions on Iran for Missile Transfers to Russia
Nihon Hidankyo Wins Nobel Peace Prize
Boeing to Cut 17,000 Jobs Worldwide Amid Factory Strikes
US Seeks Diplomatic Resolution in Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions
Donald Trump Amplifies Anti-Migrant Sentiments in Colorado Speech
Ireland Urges Israel to Cease Fire on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon
Israel Marks Yom Kippur Under Multi-Front Conflict for First Time Since 1973
US Soldier Sentenced for Aiding ISIS
Elon Musk Unveils Tesla’s Optimus: The Most Ambitious Product Ever
Mass Looting of Chicago Cargo Train: 50 to 150 Looters Ransack Containers in Chaotic Scene
China Faces Potential Overcapacity in AI Computing Power
China's EV Price War Reaches New Heights
Huawei Surpasses Apple in China Smartphone Sales for First Time in Nearly Four Years
William and Kate's First Public Appearance Post-Chemotherapy
Trump Proposes Tariffs on Chinese Cars to Protect US Auto Industry
China Releases Draft Law to Boost Private Sector
Heads of 9 post-Soviet states gather in Moscow, issue joint statement to the world
This is what a 15 foot hurricane storm surge looks like. It's terrifying
Viktor Orban expressed his view of the EU loud and clear, calling it 'a benign dictatorship at best, not a democracy.'
US Presidential Ballot To Feature Abortion Referendums
Biden and Netanyahu Discuss Iran and Regional Security
US Urges Israel to Avoid Gaza-Like Destruction in Lebanon
Rising Online Hate Against South Asian Americans
Trump Declines Second Presidential Debate Invitation
Hurricane Milton Strikes Florida with Devastating Winds and Floods
Amazon Introduces AI Tool to Enhance Delivery Efficiency
OpenAI Counteracts AI Model Misuse in Election Influence Efforts
AI Researchers at Google Awarded Nobel Prizes: A New Debate in Science
Kamala Harris Gains Ground Among Suburban Voters
The Impact of Online Culture on Young Women: Survey Insights
Earthquakes in Iran and Israel Ignite Nuclear Test Rumors
One Year After War's Outbreak, Fate of Hostages in Gaza Remains Unclear
Gary Ruvkun and Victor Ambros Win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Florida Prepares for Hurricane Milton as Helene's Aftermath Lingers
Hypersonic Jet to Revolutionize Air Travel
Understanding microRNA: The Nobel-Winning Discovery of 2024
Russian Medic Arrested for Alleged Satanism and Promoting LGBTQ Rights
Intensive Israeli Strikes Target Over 120 Hezbollah Sites in Lebanon
MV Ruby: A Potentially Explosive Ship Stranded at Sea
Donald Trump Claims Illegal Immigrants Bring 'Bad Genes' to US
Mexican Mayor Executed Days After Taking Office
Imran Khan Barred from Jail Visits Citing Security Concerns
Netanyahu Vows Continued Fight on Anniversary of Israeli Attack
×