Birthday will be low-key event for the Queen following duke’s death

The Queen’s 95th birthday will be a private and low-key event following the death of her “beloved” husband the Duke of Edinburgh.

Members of the monarchy have been supporting the Queen throughout the mourning period for Philip, and some of her family are expected to be with her at Windsor Castle.

The Queen’s birthday today falls within the two-week period of royal mourning, which is being observed until Friday, so no photograph to mark the milestone is expected to be released.

Philip’s family and friends gathered at St George’s Chapel at Windsor on Saturday to say their final farewell to the duke who died peacefully on April 9, aged 99. His death came a few months before his 100th birthday, which was due to be the focus of royal celebrations this year

while the Queen’s 95th was to be more low-key.

After 73 years of married life the Queen reigns alone without the support of her “strength and stay”, as she famously described her late husband.

The Queen’s grandson the Duke of Cambridge has pledged to uphold the wishes of Philip and continue to support the Queen and “get on with the job”.

The pandemic has meant the Queen’s official birthday celebration known as Trooping the Colour has been cancelled for a second year running.

Last summer, an event dubbed “mini Trooping” was staged at Windsor Castle, and Buckingham Palace has said options for an “alternative parade” were being considered at the Queen’s Berkshire home.

The Queen’s 95th falls in the period of royal mourning.