Queen Elizabeth II Breaks Major Royal Birthday Tradition For First Time In 70 Years As She Mourns Prince Philip

Apr 20, 2021 by apost team

Prince Philip's funeral on April 17, 2021, was a quiet affair with only 30 people in attendance due to the coronavirus restrictions. Generally, a man of Philips's stature would have received a state funeral with a minimum of 800 people in attendance, but this could not happen due to the ongoing pandemic. The guestlist of 30 people only comprised of the closest royal family members, which naturally included all of Philip's children and many of his grandchildren.

Philip's passing ended his reign as the longest-serving royal spouse, having served alongside Queen Elizabeth II 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.

While Philip has a large number of achievements and accolades to his name, nothing will ever surpass the fact that he was the love of Elizabeth's life, and that he was the most devoted consort to the queen. The Duke of Edinburgh was an active and dedicated member of the Royal family ever since Queen Elizabeth's crowning. 

This birthday will be the first one for Elizabeth without her husband Prince Philip in over seven decades. There is no doubt that the queen will continue mourning her husband during her birthday, which will be a quiet affair this year. While every year the queen releases a portrait of herself for her birthday, for the first time in over seven decades, she has no plans to release one this year according to PEOPLE. 

Other royal family members also 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 will continue 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. 

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. 

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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 reiterated the same thoughts in her own photo tribute to her late husband, which was posted to the official royal Instagram handle. 

The caption reads, "...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."

Moreover, though Philip is currently interred at Windsor Castle, it will be moved when Elizabeth dies so that the couple can remain together even after death.  This is a final and poignant tribute to his companion of over seven decades. Though it isn't known where exactly Elizabeth will be buried, it may be possible that she will want to be buried alongside her parents in the King George VI memorial chapel. 

The enduring love between Elizabeth and Philip will always be one for the ages. Their love budded when they were very young, and unlike other royal marriages that are often arranged, Elizabeth and Philip married for love. After doing so, they remained each other's steadfast companions and supported one another through devastating times. While Elizabeth had the responsibility of becoming a queen thrust upon her early on, Philip had to make compromises and sacrifices to support the new queen. Through his actions and devotion towards his wife, Philip became the perfect example of a royal consort and will remain an inspiration for decades to come.

Losing a partner is always difficult, especially after spending more than seven decades together. What do you think about Queen Elizabeth's decision to not mark her birthday this year? Tell us your thoughts, and be sure to ask your friends what they think as well.