Previously Unseen Photo Uploaded To Commemorate Prince Philip's 99th Birthday Resurfaces

Apr 22, 2021 by apost team

A little more than a year ago, the late Prince Philip celebrated his 99th birthday on June 10, 2020. To commemorate the occasion, the royal family released an exclusive photograph of Philip alongside his wife, Queen Elizabeth II. The photograph shows the couple, who had been married for 72 years at the time, standing side-by-side in front of Windsor Castle. In the spirit of summer, the queen wears a dress adorned with yellow flowers, while the 99-year-old prince wears a more traditional double-breasted suit. At the time, the inseparable duo had been quarantining amid the coronavirus pandemic due to the older couple’s high risk for the disease.

This rare and memorable portrait has resurfaced in the wake of Philip’s funeral, which took place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Saturday, April 17. The funeral was a quiet affair with only 30 people in attendance due to the coronavirus restrictions. Generally, a man of Philip’s stature would have received a state funeral with 800 people in attendance, but this could not happen due to the ongoing pandemic. The guestlist of 30 people included only the closest royal family members, such as Philip's children and many of his grandchildren.

Philip's passing ended his reign as the longest-serving royal spouse, having served alongside the queen for 65 years and having been married to the monarch for 73 years in total. Since Philip's death, there have been a significant number of tributes and condolences pouring in. His singular and incredible life continues to be remembered and celebrated by his family.

After the royal family announced Philip’s passing on April 9, media outlets, family members and fans of the royals began to remember Philip’s legacy through photos. Philip’s 99th birthday photo, shared last year, was one of the many rare photos that reappeared in the midst of the United Kingdom’s period of mourning.

“This new photograph of The Duke of Edinburgh and The Queen was taken last week in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle to mark His Royal Highness’s 99th birthday tomorrow,” the royal family wrote on Instagram alongside the 99th birthday photo pictured below.

According to Vanity Fair, the queen wore a floral Angela Kelly dress paired with a Cullinan V diamond broach. Philip, on the other hand, sported a blazer with a military Household Division tie. The rare 2020 photograph was the first time that Philip had been photographed that year. Vanity Fair went on to report that the queen and Philip celebrated his 99th birthday over a quiet meal at Windsor Castle.

On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Elizabeth celebrated her first birthday alone without her “strength and stay.”

Royal family members often mark their birthdays by sharing new portraits with the public, but this is the first time that the queen will not be releasing a portrait to the public in over 70 years as the mourning period continues until Friday, April 24, 2021, according to Tatler.

Moreover, PEOPLE reported that this year will mark the second time that the annual traditional gun salutes, which commonly take place at Hyde Park and the Tower of London to commemorate Elizabeth's birthday, will also not take place. The event was canceled in 2020 as well due to the coronavirus lockdown.

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It has also been announced that the customary Trooping the Colour celebrations, which mark the queen’s birthday every June, will again not take place on their usual scale for the second year in a row, with the first being canceled due to the pandemic as well. 

However, the queen will not be alone for her birthday, as the Mirror reported that Kate Middleton and other members of the royal family are making a plan for a small, toned-down celebration. A source told the news outlet that the queen "will have others who care about her deeply and want to be there to support her in her most pressing hour" following Philip's funeral on April 17, 2021. The source added, "In typical fashion, the Queen has insisted she is coping and despite the suggestion she had prepared herself for this day to come, everyone is well aware there is nothing like the experience when it comes."

It is also speculated that Prince Harry may extend his stay in the UK so that he can be there for his grandmother's birthday.

Philip and Elizabeth celebrated their 73rd anniversary in November 2020 and had been devoted to one another throughout their lives. 

In an oft-quoted speech on the date of Elizabeth and Philip’s 50th wedding anniversary in 1997, the queen called her husband her “strength and stay,” speaking to her husband’s importance.

“He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”

What do you think of this rare portrait of Elizabeth and Philip? How will you remember the prince’s legacy? Let us know, and be sure to pass this story on to others.