STEPPING UP FOR THE QUEEN

As Queen Elizabeth II grapples with tremendous loss, Prince William and Kate Middleton provide support

It was a milestone birthday. But though Queen Elizabeth II reached the formidable age of 95 on April 21, it was clear she was in no mood to celebrate. In a statement to the public — her first since the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, four days earlier — the monarch thanked British citizens for “the support and kindness shown to us in recent days,” before spending a quiet day in Windsor Castle, where she’s largely been quarantining with a small staff since the coronavirus crisis began. “The queen is putting on a brave face, but behind closed doors, she’s absolutely devastated,” says an insider of the royal, who also lost her longtime pal and racing adviser Sir Michael Oswald on April 17. “She feels so lonely and empty without Philip, and with Sir Michael passing on the same day as his funeral, it was a bit of a double blow. Honestly, she’s never been sadder.”

Fortunately, though, her regal relatives are stepping up to provide support. As the queen quietly went through messages from well-wishers at home on her birthday, grandson Prince William, 38, and his wife, Kate Middleton, 39, took care of official duties — and honored Philip, a former air commodore-in-chief — by paying a visit to 282 (East Ham)

Squadron, Air Training Corps in London. The surprise appearance came after the couple gathered their kids, George, 7, Charlotte, 5, and Louis, 3, for a birthday Zoom chat with their great-grandmother. “Kate organized gifts and cards to be sent to Windsor Castle, along with a cake the children made,” the insider adds. “William and Kate are making every effort to be there for Queen Elizabeth II in her time of need.”

ROYAL TEAMWORK

And it hasn’t gone unnoticed. With William’s brother, Prince Harry, 36, back in California with his family,

Prince Charles, 72, mourning his father in Wales, and Prince Andrew, 61, relieved of his royal duties in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal, the queen is relying on William and Kate to help her through this difficult time. “She’s beyond thankful that they’re there for her,” the insider says. “She personally expressed her gratitude to Kate directly.”

They’re both happy to do it. William and Kate have been “calling the queen every day” and “helping out wherever they can,” the insider says. “They’ll do anything they can to make things easier and bring some joy back into her life.”