“Bertie”
This was the last word the Queen spoke, the name of her eldest son and heir, Albert Edward. Queen Victoria died of a stroke, aged 81, at her royal residence Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by family.
“Edward came to see me.”
Britain’s longest reigning monarch made this final entry in her diary, written two days before she died, referring to private secretary Edward Young who was helping with the swearing in of new ministers. The Queen was 96 years old when she died peacefully in her sleep of old age.
“Well, I’ve got to be alive for it, haven’t I?”
The husband of the Queen was speaking on the phone to his son Charles the day before he died – Charles had asked him how he wanted to celebrate his upcoming 100th birthday. Aged 99 Prince Philip died peacefully of old age, the Queen was at his bedside.
“Lord, into Your Hands I commend my spirit.”
Quoting the final words of Jesus, the Holy Roman Emperor died in his bed after a deep depression and falling ill of pleurisy.
“Thanks be to God! For I shall now die in peace, since I know that the most valiant and accomplished knight of my kingdom will perform that for me which I am unable to do for myself.”
Robert the First King of the Scots, referring to the removal of his heart after he was dead and taking it to Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre, the reputed burial site of Jesus. He died at the Manor of Cardross, near Dumbarton Scotland.
“Youth, I forgive you. Loose his chains and give him 100 shillings.”
Fatally wounded by an archer, King Richard I of England gave orders for the killer to be released. His soldiers ignored this last request and had the archer executed after the King’s death in Châlus France.
“All my possessions for a moment of time.”
The last words of Elizabeth the First, Queen of England. She died at Richmond Palace during a severe bout of melancholy.
“My God, what’s happened?”
The final words of the Princess of Wales, reported by paparazzi at the scene of her fatal car accident in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel, Paris. She was aged 36 at the time of her death.
“You know not what you do.”
The last Tsar of Russia quoting Jesus after being told that he and his family were to be executed by firing squad in the basement of Ipatiev House.
“O Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Queen of Scotland, quoting the words of Jesus before being executed by beheading at Fotheringhay Castle.
