Sydney: Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday at the age of 96, wrote a secret letter to Australia, which is locked inside a vault in Sydney and cannot be opened for 63 years! According to 7NEWS Australia, the letter, safely kept inside a vault in a historic building in Sydney, was written by the late British monarch in November 1986 and addressed to the people of Sydney.
7NEWS Australia reports that no one, even the Queen’s personal staff, is aware of the contents of the letter as it is hidden in a glass case in a secure location. One thing is for sure: it may not be opened until 2085.
Addressed to the Lord Mayor of Sydney, the instructions read: “On the appropriate day of your choosing in the year 2085 AD, would you please open this envelope and convey your message to the citizens of Sydney.”
It is simply signed, “Elizabeth R.” As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia 16 times.
“From her famous maiden visit to Australia, the only ruler ever, it was clear that Her Majesty held a special place in her heart for Australia,” Albanese said in a statement on Friday.
“Fifteen more tours confirmed our special place before delighting crowds in every part of our country,” Albanese said.
In 1999, Australia held a referendum to remove the Queen as head of state, but she was defeated, CNN reports. On Friday, tributes were paid to the Queen at Sydney’s prestigious Opera House. Neighboring Commonwealth country New Zealand announced King Charles III as its head of state in a televised ceremony on Sunday, CNN reports.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Australia announced King Charles III as head of state, the first new monarch in 70 years.