Queen Elizabeth II always knew she wanted to spend her final hours at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
“It was actually her wish to die at Balmoral,” royal expert Katie Nicholl tells Page Six.
Elizabeth’s cousin Lady Elizabeth Shakerley told Nicholl in a 2020 interview that the Scottish estate was where the late Queen felt most at peace.
“I think [her] actual death was very peaceful,” the “New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown” author explains.
“She went to sleep and she died in her bed in Balmoral. That has always been very, very special to her. And thank goodness it was such a peaceful passing for the Queen.”
According to Nicholl, a hospital room in Aberdeen, Scotland, had been set aside for Elizabeth, but was thankfully not needed in the ned.
The longest-reigning British monarch died on Sept. 8, 2022, at age 96.
Balmoral Castle — which was purchased by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, in 1852 — has long held a special place in Elizabeth’s heart.
The late Queen spent much of her childhood at the castle that spans 50,000 acres in Aberdeenshire. It was also where her husband, Prince Philip, proposed in 1946.
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It was where she could work but also have a semblance of private life, enjoying barbecues and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Princess Eugenie confirmed her grandmother’s deep love of the Scottish abode several years ago.
Speaking in the documentary “Our Queen at Ninety,” Eugenie said, “I think Granny is the most happy there. I think she really, really loves the Highlands.”
On Friday, the royal family solemnly remembered the Queen on the first anniversary of her passing.
In a pre-recorded speech that was written at Balmoral, her eldest son and heir, King Charles III praised his late mother, recalling her “devoted service.”
He also expressed gratitude “for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales marked the day by attending a church service at St. Davids Cathedral in Wales. Middleton also paid tribute to the Queen by wearing a pair of pearl earrings that had belonged to the late Monarch.
Earlier, the couple remembered the royal on their Instagram account.
Alongside a photo carousel that included a photo of the Queen surrounded by some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they wrote: “Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W & C”.
They also shared photos of their visit to St Davids, including one of them looking solemnly at a floral tribute to the Queen.
Prince Harry, who was in the UK for a charity appearance this week, also honored his grandmother.
A royal source tells Page Six that the California-based Prince visited St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Friday and was joined by his cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
He paid tribute to Elizabeth in an emotional speech at the WellChild Awards Thursday, telling the audience that the Queen is “looking down on all of us tonight, happy we’re together, continuing to spotlight such an incredible community.”