Low-key 99th birthday for duke

The Duke of Edinburgh celebrates his 99th birthday in isolation at Windsor Castle today (Wednesday local time), as Buckingham Palace releases a new official portrait with the Queen.

The duke, who, along with the Queen, has been under strict lockdown since March, will mark his birthday in his customary low-key fashion, but is expected to receive video calls from his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An official photograph to mark the occasion, taken last Monday at Windsor Castle, shows the duke in his

Household Division tie, shirt and blazer.

The Queen, standing beside him, wears the heart-shaped diamond Cullinan V brooch, a regular favourite, and a dress by Angela Kelly adorned with bright summer flowers.

The couple, who have been married for 72 years, posed in the quadrangle in sunshine for the formal photograph.

It is the first public image of the duke since he was seen leaving a private hospital on Christmas Eve, following a four-night admission for treatment relating to a pre-existing condition.

Although retired for several years, he has remained active and in April issued a written message thanking all those helping to tackle the pandemic.

The Queen and duke have been living at Windsor for the duration of lockdown.

Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty magazine, described the time shielding together at Windsor Castle as ‘‘the perfect royal cocooning’’, adding of today’s celebrations: ‘‘They will make a fuss of him as much as you can make a fuss of the Duke of Edinburgh.’’

The duke is the longest serving consort in British history and the oldest serving partner of a reigning monarch. – The Daily Telegraph