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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Abbie Meehan

Queen Elizabeth II left a 'secret letter' not to be opened until 2085

As the nation continues their mourning period for the late Queen Elizabeth II, it seems the long-reigning monarch still has things she wants to say.

After the Queen's death on Thursday, September 8 at the age of 96, it was revealed that she left a secret letter to the citizens of Sydney, reports the Independent. This letter is to remain unopened until 2085.

READ MORE - The full list of DWP and HMRC benefits to be paid early due to Queen's funeral

As head of state of Australia, the Queen wrote a letter that has been contained in a time capsule inside a building that was dedicated to her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria. To celebrate the restoration of the Queen Victoria Building in 1986, Queen Elizabeth II addressed the unknown letter to the Lord Mayor of Sydney.

According to News.com.au, the instructions regarding the letter read: "On a suitable day to be selected by you in the year 2085AD, would you please open this envelope and convey to the citizens of Sydney my message to them.”

The letter was signed 'Elizabeth', and has been kept in a tight glass case, in a restricted area of the building ever since the Queen wrote it. Reports suggest that not even the Queen's most personal staff are aware of the contents of the letter.

The Queen Victoria Building was first built in 1898 to celebrate her diamond jubilee. It was nearly demolished in the 1950s to be make way for a car park, but a bid to restore the building won overall.

Now the Queen has passed away, King Charles III is Britain's newest monarch, and takes over the head of state of 15 Commonwealth realms. These include New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and various Caribbean nations.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that the country will declare a bank holiday on Thursday, September 22 to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II. It will officially be called the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty the Queen and will take place after her funeral, which falls on Monday September 19.

This is due to the Prime Minister, and governer-general David Hurley travelling to the UK for the Queen's funeral. They will return on Wednesday, September 21.

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