‘Frail, but in good spirits’: Photographer reveals the touching story behind Queen’s last photo

The photographer who captured the Queen’s remarkable portrait just two days before her death describes the heat-warming moment behind the last public appearance.

The photographer who captured the enduring image of the Queen has described how she was cheerful to the end, despite her visible frailty and declining health.

When Jane Barlow arrived at Balmoral to take the Queen’s photo with incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss for the Press Association, she didn’t know it would be the last.

While waiting for the prime minister to arrive, Barlow said she and the Queen had a few moments alone to capture some unplanned portraits by the fire.

The Queen was “frail” but in “good spirits” as they made small talk about the weather, and the lingering dark skies and heavy rain, Ms Barlow told PA.

“I got a lot of smiles from her,” the PA staff photographer said.

The Queen’s last photo, taken just two days before her death. Picture: AFP

When Ms Truss was formally announced, the Queen “greeted her with a big smile” and engaged the new prime minister in conversation.

“She certainly did look more frail than when I photographed her in the summer,” Ms Barlow said.

The Queen was in Scotland for Holyrood Week, where she was photographed during an audience with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and at several official engagements.

The image at Balmoral two days before her death sparked immediate concerns for the Queen’s health, with a large bruise on her right hand and a walking stick to help her stand.

The Queen greets newly elected leader of the Conservative party Liz Truss. Picture: Getty Images

The Queen greets newly elected leader of the Conservative party Liz Truss. Picture: Getty Images

Ms Barlow said it was an “honour and a privilege” to take the Queen’s last photo, which has seen her inundated with positive comments.

“I was there to photograph her meeting the new Prime Minister but for me the best picture was the one of the Queen on her own,” she said.

“And it has obviously become more significant now.”

It was the first time in her 70-year reign that the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister was appointed in Scotland instead of England.

The handover of power from Boris Johnson took place in Balmoral Castle due to the Queen’s health issues.

She welcomed 14 new Prime Ministers at Buckingham Palace during her reign, starting with Winston Churchill in 1951, continuing with, among others, Margaret Thatcher in 1979 and Tony Blair in 1997, and finally with Boris Johnson in 2019.

KISSING HANDS

Winston Churchill, 26 October 1951 - 5 April 1955

Anthony Eden, 6 April 1955 - 9 January 1957

Harold Macmillan, 10 January 1957- 18 October 1963

Alec Douglas-Home, 19 October 1963 - 16 October 1964

Harold Wilson, 16 October 1964 - 19 June 1970

Edward Heath, 19 June 1970 - 4 March 1974

Harold Wilson, 4 March 1974 - 5 April 1976

James Callaghan, 5 April 1976 - 4 April 1979

Margaret Thatcher, 4 May 1979 - 28 November 1990

John Major, 28 November 1990 - 2 May 1997

Tony Blair, 2 May 1997 - 27 June 2007

Gordon Brown, 27 June 2007 - 11 May 2010

David Cameron, 11 May 2010 - 13 July 2016

Theresa May, 13 July 2016 - 24 July 2019

Boris Johnson, 24 July 2019 - 6 September 2022

Liz Truss, 6 September - present

Originally published as ‘Frail, but in good spirits’: Photographer reveals the touching story behind Queen’s last photo