Queenmarkslow-key95thb’day

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II thanked people around the world for their messages of "support and kindness" as she marked a low-key 95th birthday on Wednesday, days after husband Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday.

The monarch reflected on the "great sadness" she and the royal family has been coping with and said the tributes paid to her late husband from across the UK and Commonwealth were a "comfort" to the entire family.

"I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate," said the Queen, in a message released by the official Buckingham Palace social media account.

"While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world," she said.

"My family and I would like to thank you for all the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life," she added.

While the national mourning period in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh officially concluded on Sunday, the monarch remains in mourning until Friday and there is unlikely to be any of the usual birthday markers such as the release of an official photograph by Buckingham Palace.

The Queen is expected to spend the day privately at Windsor Castle, where she will be joined by some close members of the royal family.

"I would like to send my warm wishes to Her Majesty The Queen on her 95th birthday," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a Twitter statement.

"I have always had the highest admiration for Her Majesty and her service to this country and the Commonwealth. I am proud to serve as her Prime Minister," he said.