Boris Johnson Claims in Memoir That Queen Elizabeth II Had Bone Cancer

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a significant claim in his upcoming memoir, stating that Queen Elizabeth II had bone cancer before her death. This revelation breaks traditional royal protocol, as health details regarding the late monarch were previously undisclosed. Johnson’s memoir, due to be released on October 10, has been partially serialized in the Daily Mail.

Johnson recalls Queen Elizabeth’s final days, noting her deteriorating condition during his last visit to Balmoral, Scotland, just two days before her passing in September 2022. While the official cause of death on her certificate was recorded as “old age,” Johnson provides a different perspective, asserting that he had known of her cancer diagnosis for over a year. He also described the Queen as mentally sharp despite her physical frailty during their last audience together.

Buckingham Palace has not commented on Johnson’s memoir or the claims regarding the Queen’s health, as it maintains a longstanding policy of privacy regarding royal medical matters. Other former British leaders, such as Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron, have written memoirs that reflect on their time with the Queen, but none have delved into such intimate and specific details.

Johnson’s memoir highlights his admiration for the Queen’s sense of duty, calling their weekly meetings a “privilege” and praising her leadership. He described the Queen as a figure who embodied the essence of service and unity, someone who represented the best of Britain.

While Queen Elizabeth II was known for keeping her health private, other royal family members, such as King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have been more open about their personal health struggles, sharing their battles with cancer. However, they too have remained selective about the details, choosing to keep certain aspects of their diagnoses private.