Nostradamus didn’t predict that Queen Elizabeth II would die in 2022

Nostradamus was a French astrologer who lived in the 1500s. But his book, "Les Prophéties," has transcended time and is often credited with predicting historical events — including the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

A Sept. 15 Facebook video said Nostradamus "accurately predicted Queen Elizabeth II’s passing." 

"When Queen Elizabeth passed away on Sept. 8, just a day later Nostradamus’ predictions of her passing resurfaced," a narrator in the video said. 

The video was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) 

We reviewed an English translation of Les Prophiétes, but found no direct reference to the death of any queen.

Instead, the prediction came from author Mario Reading’s 2005 book, "Nostradamus: The Complete Prophecies for the Future." The book says Reading, who lived in England, Germany and the South of France and died in 2017, drew the prediction about the queen’s death from Nostradamus’ passage that read: 

Featured Fact-check

Viral image

stated on March 18, 2024 in a Facebook post

Image shows a Princess Kate “stunt double.”

"Because they disapproved of his divorce

A man, who, later, they considered unworthy

The people will force out the King of the Islands

A man will replace him who never expected to be king."

A Facebook video says Nostradamus "accurately predicted Queen Elizabeth II’s passing." 

Nostradamus’s writing did not include a reference to a queen. The prediction came from another author’s interpretation of the philosopher’s writing.

We rate this claim False.