Jim described the scene in his autobiography, Freddie And Me.

He recalled he was photographing some of the gorgeous flowers in the West Kensington mansion’s garden, while he thought Freddie was resting inside. 

Suddenly, the Queen star appeared, smartly dressed and groomed, one of his beloved cats by his side.

Even then, conscious of how his appearance had been affected by his illness, he asked to be snapped at a small distance.

Jim wrote: “That summer Freddie posed for a camera for the very last time – mine.

“It happened like this. I was out in the garden photographing some of the flowers in full bloom and Freddie walked towards me.”