The Queen turned 95-years-old on Wednesday – the first time she has marked a birthday without the Duke of Edinburgh at her side for almost eight decades.
Prince Philip and The Queen were married for 73-and-a-half years a the time of his death on April 9 2021.
Taking into account the years they spent together as a couple before marriage, this is the first time in almost eight decades where the monarch will not have received a birthday card or present from her life partner.
The Queen and The Royal Family are still officially in a period of mourning meaning Her Majesty’s birthday will not be celebrated.
There will be no gun salutes, bells will not toll in celebration, and there will be no portrait released to mark the occasion.
With 95-years of age being such a significant milestone in a person’s life, Wednesday was supposed to be a day of celebration and happiness.
Because of Prince Philip’s passing just a couple of weeks prior, the day has a very different meaning to what was originally planned.
The Queen is spending her birthday with family. She will attend a small lunch at Windsor Castle, before heading out to walk her dogs on a socially distanced stroll.
It is understood that the Duke of Sussex has delayed his return to California to be in the UK on the occasion of his grandmother’s birthday.
