Philip at 99, still the dashing consort at his Queen’s side
AS the Duke of Edinburgh turns 99 today, a rare new picture with the Queen has been released by Buckingham Palace.
Ramrod straight in a smart blazer and tie, Prince Philip still has the air of the he dashing naval officer that dazzled his is wife in the early years of their romance. e.
The couple are rarely pictured together in n public, officially or unofficially, particularly ly since the duke retired from public duties in n 2017. It was then that their last official photograph o- was taken, marking their platinum m 70th wedding anniversary.
But the Daily Mail understands that, t, despite not wanting to make a fuss about ut his birthday, Philip agreed to be pictured with his wife of 72 years on June 1, ‘just in case’.
The last time he was seen in public was on Christmas Eve, when he left the King Edward VII Hospital in London for sudden treatment of a ‘ preexisting condition’, looking pale and red-eyed.
And it was felt strongly by palace aides that Philip – who would normally be been seen at events such as the cancelled Royal Windsor Horse Show – might like a more ‘positive’ recent image.
While his blue eyes may have dimmed, Philip still has an unnerving gimlet glaze as he stares towards the camera.
And he proudly wears his navy and maroon Household Division tie alongside highly polished brass blazer buttons and a pocket handkerchief.
The Queen, 94, is wearing a floral dress designed by her pe personal assistant Angela K Kelly, pearls, and her favourite Cu Cullinan V diamond brooch.
T The picture was taken in the Q Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, tle where the couple are living in lockdown. Sources say they ha have spent more time under th the same roof during lockdown do than they have in years.
T The duke had been spending m much of his retirement at Sa Sandringham, more than 100 miles away from the Queen, who was usually at Buckingham ha Palace or at Windsor.
B But they were reunited at th the Berkshire castle when Ph Philip was flown there by helicopter co on March 19 ahead of lo lockdown, attended by a re reduced staff of around 20.
Most days they lunch or dine together, while spending other time on their separate interests. Philip keeps himself busy reading, writing and painting.
In April – in his first public statement since retiring – he praised key workers and those making sure that essential services are kept running in the pandemic, such a bin men.
Today’s events will be ‘terribly low key’, according to one insider, the highlight of which will nothing more fancy than a simple lunch with the Queen.
There will be Zoom video calls and phone chats with his family and friends, including Prince Charles in Scotland, the Cambridges in Norfolk and Harry and Meghan in LA.