Queen Died at 'Favorite Place in the World' in 'Best Way' For Her—Author

Queen Elizabeth II's death aged 96 came in "the best way to go for her" and happened at "her favorite place in the world," a royal author told Newsweek.

The monarch—whose era defined 70 years of British life from 1952 and the decline of empire to 2022—died in comfort at Balmoral on September 8, 2022.

The castle, which Elizabeth owned privately, was where her late husband Prince Philip was famously master of the barbecue during hot summer holidays in the Scottish highlands, in the privacy of its 50,000 acres.

Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed, told Newsweek: "It's not a surprise considering her age but it is still a shock because we saw her looking so cheerful only 48 hours ago but this is the best way to go for her and for everybody, rather than a long drawn out illness.

"She was at her favorite place in the world, Balmoral."

Princess Eugenie once told ITV documentary Our Queen at Ninety: "It's the most beautiful place on earth."

She added: "I think granny is the most happy there, I think she really, really loves the Highlands... Walks, picnics, dogs—a lot of dogs, there's always dogs. And people coming in and out all the time."

Following the monarch's death, her eldest son Charles becomes King Charles III and his wife Camilla is his Queen Consort.

Charles said in a statement: "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."