Nicola Sturgeon makes bombshell claim about Queen Elizabeth in new memoir

By Lauren Welch, Royal Reporter based in London

Nicola Sturgeon has made a bombshell claim about the late Queen in her new memoir (Image: GETTY)

Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has shared a bombshell claim about the late Queen Elizabeth II in her new memoir, Frankly. Describing the late royal as an "incredible woman", Nicola also recalled how the late monarch immediately asked for details about Mr [Alex] Salmond when the they met at Balmoral Castle a few weeks after misconduct claims against him first emerged.

Alex Salmond, who was the former Scottish National Party leader, was charged with 14 offences, including attempted rape and sexual assault, in January 2019 but he was awarded compensation of £500,000 by the Scottish Government in August 2019 and later acquitted of all charges after trial in March 2020.

He was later found not guilty of 12 charges, and not proven in another. Another charge was later withdrawn by the court. He later died aged 69 in October 2024.

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Discussing the late Queen, who died aged 96 in September 2022, Nicola claimed that she "loved a bit of gossip".

In Frankly, which will be released on August 14, Nicola also added: "She asked me about it almost as soon as I sat down. She wanted to know more of what was going on."

Nicola claimed that she assumed the late monarch would not have mentioned the claims in September 2018, yet Queen Elizabeth did bring them up.

Ms Sturgeon continued: "She asked me about it almost as soon as I sat down. She wasn’t being trivial in any way, she wanted to know more of what was going on.

Alex Salmond died aged 69 in October 2024 (Image: GETTY)

"I think she was also trying to put me at ease... She also loved a bit of gossip. She always wanted to hear the stories behind the political headlines."

Alex is always said to have considered himself something of a favourite of the Queen because of their mutual love of horse racing.

Praising the late royal, Nicola then described her as "utterly fascinating", adding that she was "struck by the aura" she "exuded as she entered the room".