Queen To Mark 95th Birthday Without Philip As Family Decides On 'Rota' To Keep Her Company

Apr 20, 2021 by apost team

On April 17, 2021, Prince Philip's funeral 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 comprised 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 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 many 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. To comfort the queen, the Royal Family has drawn up rota between themselves on how to support the queen during this hard time.

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 would 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 to be there for his grandmother's birthday. 

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According to Cambridge News, the 'rota' includes which members of the royal family will visit the queen for her birthday and when. In order to make sure that the monarch will not spend her 95th birthday alone, family members will be spacing out calls to check in on the queen during her special day. The Mirror revealed the rotation plan, and it's looking as though Princess Anne and Sophie Wessex will be among the first to visit the queen for her birthday. With a sunny forecast for the next few days, likely, the queen will also partake in her usual birthday activities, including driving to Windsor Castle and taking her corgi puppies, Fergus and Muick, for a walk. 

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". She 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. 

What do you think about the queen's modified birthday plans? Isn't it sweet that she will still be getting visitors? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to your friends and family so they can stay updated on the queen's birthday plans.