Queen Elizabeth II’s reign over the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms lasted 70 years and 214 days, ending on Thursday, September 8, 2022, when she passed away at the age of 96. For most of that time she enjoyed good health and high spirits, and even when her physical strength began to influence how she carried out her duties, she performed her final constitutional act just two days before her death. The photos of the Queen with the new UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, taken at Balmoral Castle—where she invited her to form a government—captured the remarkable dedication of the longest-reigning British monarch to serve her country until the very end; though she appeared physically frail, her calm presence and warm smile remained unchanged until her final moments.
Details about the Queen’s health were rarely shared publicly, but she was monitored closely throughout her life by the royal medical team, The Guardian reports, and she was widely known for her robust health. Bryan Kozlowski, author of Long Live the Queen! 23 Rules for Living from Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch, told The New York Post in 2020: “She has aged incredibly well and is a model of health and well-being.”
She contracted COVID-19 in February 2022, yet had been hospitalized only three times in the past two decades. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight—as the Queen consistently did—are essential factors for living a long, healthy life.
Beyond her civic role, the Queen was an example of both mental and physical resilience. She reportedly ate well, drank alcohol in moderation, and stayed physically active. Combined with her stoic and disciplined approach to the intense media scrutiny she and her family endured, she embodied qualities admired by many—qualities not necessarily tied to wealth or status.
As we remember one of the world’s most respected royal figures, here is a look at how Queen Elizabeth II managed to preserve what she considered her greatest fortune—her health—for so many years.
She loved horseback riding, and walking her corgis around Buckingham Palace was part of her daily routine. She also walked the moors and forests of Balmoral and Sandringham. During a 1991 visit to the United States, President George H. W. Bush praised her for her long walks, joking that they left even the Secret Service “out of breath.” Kozlowski notes that she loved spending time outdoors and was particularly fond of the Scottish countryside surrounding Balmoral, which she visited almost every year. She never smoked and was known to sleep well.
Regardless of age or chronic conditions such as age-related arthritis, it is still possible to stay active. Well-known rheumatologist Dr. Stephanie Kaye-Barrett explains that patients who exercise can experience improved flexibility, better sleep, and healthier body weight.
Even without palace gardens, local parks offer plenty of open space to enjoy regular activity—something that clearly benefited Queen Elizabeth.
According to her former chef, Darren McGrady (1982–1993), the Queen “was not a foodie” and preferred simple meals. She regularly ate healthy dishes such as grilled fish with vegetables or salads, but she also embraced what it meant to be a true British monarch by treating herself to afternoon tea with Darjeeling. Who doesn’t enjoy the occasional sandwich and pastry? She was known to occasionally enjoy gin and Dubonnet—a sweet fortified wine—and had a playful sense of humor.
When dining alone, she was “very disciplined” and often stuck to low-carb meals, McGrady said, though she also enjoyed treats and alcohol. Insider’s Ali Millington reported that her breakfasts included biscuits with tea, followed by toast and marmalade, cereal with fruit, or smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and truffles.
Before simple lunches—like grilled fish with vegetables—she enjoyed gin and Dubonnet with a slice of lemon and ice. She liked a dry martini, though reportedly stopped having it daily in 2021 due to health considerations. Afternoon tea featured sandwiches, scones, and “a slice of cake,” Kozlowski said. When not attending formal events, dinner often included beef or venison fillet, pheasant, or salmon from Sandringham and Balmoral estates, followed by a fruit dessert. She also enjoyed traditional British Sunday roast dinners.
The Queen had a “chocolate tooth” and loved dark chocolate (which has several health benefits), McGrady told Newsweek. According to her cousin Margaret Rhodes, she often ended her day with a glass of champagne.
The Queen’s commitment to privacy and political neutrality was key to maintaining the mental clarity needed for her extraordinarily demanding role—being a monarch to all. And while you may not speak to millions or navigate state affairs with subtlety and precision, you likely strive to perform your work to the best of your ability, just as she did.
In his article Thriving in a Stressful Environment: Caring for Your Mind and Body, respected Harley Street psychiatrist Dr. Sunil Raheja writes: “We must do more to care for ourselves properly, to build systems and processes that keep us moving forward.”
Knowing what you need for your own mental well-being may have been essential even for the Queen. She avoided public commentary on politics and controversial issues. While some might criticize this, it was undoubtedly one of the reasons she earned such profound respect worldwide.
Her legacy endures, and we hope that Queen Elizabeth II’s life inspires you to live healthily and embrace all the opportunities life offers.
https://www.insider.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-dead-diet-exercise-health-longevity-2022-9
