Peaceful Death Of Queen From 'Old Age'

Gentle passing of a beloved monarch

- Cyril Dixon

THE Queen died peacefully of "old age" with her children Charles and Anne by her bedside.

A death certificate, published yesterday, says Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor passed away at 3.10pm on September 8 at Balmoral Castle.

Under "occupation", the document states "Her Majesty the Queen" and notes she was the widow of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The certificate poignantly names Princess Anne as the "informant" who notified the registrar of her mother's death the following day.

Yesterday's release confirms that many of the Queen's children and grandchildren were not present for her passing.

Only Anne and King Charles were at her bedside, while Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, and Prince William were still in the air.

They were racing to Balmoral after taking off from RAF Northolt, in South Ruislip, west London, at 2.39 pm, landing an hour later.

Prince Harry made his own way to Scotland by jet from Luton, and did not land until 6.46 pm - some 16 minutes after the sad news was announced by the Palace.

Other names typed on the his document include Her toric Majesty's parents King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

The form also lists the Queen's date of birth as April 21, 1926 making her 96 when she died - and gives her address as Windsor Castle.