Boris Johnson says Queen was 'cleary not well' as he recalls final meeting

Boris Johnson has recalled his final meeting with the Queen which came just two days before her death was announced. The former Prime Minister has told how the Queen had been “absolutely on it” despite appearing ill.

The MP had his final audience with the Queen in Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 6 as he made way for Liz Truss to succeed him in Downing Street. Mr Johnson, who was the 14th prime minister of the monarch’s 70-year reign, said he was moved by her “sense of duty” during their meeting.

He said the monarch, who celebrated 70 years on the throne in June, remained “actively focused” on both world and UK politics when he formally tendered his resignation as prime minister to her, but said she was “clearly not well”.

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Buckingham Palace confirmed the sad news of the Queen's 'peaceful' passing, aged 96, at around 6.30pm on Thursday, September 8, in a short statement after confirming earlier that afternoon that she was under medical supervision as doctors were concerned for her health. The Prince of Wales is now King, having acceded to the throne immediately on the death of his mother before making his declaration to the accession council over the weekend.

Mr Johnson has told the BBC: "One of the reasons it was so shocking on the eighth to hear about her death was because in that audience she had been absolutely on it. Just two days before her death. She was actively focused on geopolitics, on UK politics, quoting statesmen from the 50s, it was quite extraordinary.

"She seemed very bright, very focused. Look, she was clearly not well, I think that was the thing I found so moving when we all heard about her death two days later. I