Queen Elizabeth II was upbeat, shared childhood memories and expressed concern about the war in Ukraine, a Scottish clergyman who dined with the sovereign days before her death told Reuters, Agerpres reported.

As moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, the Revd Ian Greenshields was invited last week to give a sermon at the local parish church, which Elizabeth used to attend when she was at Balmoral Castle.

The sovereign was not present at the service, but Greenshields dined with the monarch during her visit.

“I have to start by saying she looked quite frail, but of course she was 96… but when she sat down and started to speak, you knew you were in the presence of the Queen,” he told Reuters.

“He just had an amazing ability to make you feel at ease and he really did his homework. She knew who she was talking to…and had a phenomenal memory for someone her age.”

“She was very optimistic, very communicative with everyone”

The memories were of the nobles she knew, the horse she once owned, and her childhood.

“I’m a pastor in Dunfermline and she mentioned that she had a horse called Dunfermline many years ago, I think it was 40 years ago … that won a few races for her,” Greenshields said.

“She was reminiscing about when she was very young and staying at Balmoral, she spoke very fondly of the time she spent there with her father and mother… I remember asking her how many countries she had visited, she couldn’t remember , how many there were, but he began to tell about the many people he had met in different parts of the world.”

Asked about the Queen’s mood during their meal together, which included Princess Anne, Greenshields said: “Very upbeat, very engaged with everyone, asking everyone how they’re doing… and making sure everyone gets attention, which he deserves and feels at ease.”

“She told how upset she is about the situation in Ukraine”

There was also talk about the war in Ukraine.

“She talked about how upset she is about the situation in Ukraine,” Greenshields said. “Obviously someone who lived through the war in Europe and saw war in Europe again, it was very disturbing for her.”

Greenshields said he was surprised to learn of the Queen’s death.

“There were no signs that it was anything really serious and she seemed, for someone her age, full of energy and very relaxed,” he said.

“So when I got the news…shocking I guess is the wrong word, but something like that.”

Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning sovereign and a powerful presence on the world stage for 70 years, died on Thursday after her health deteriorated.

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