Queen tweets her thanks for ‘support and kindness’

Queen Elizabeth II has expressed her thanks for all the “support and kindness” shown following the death of her husband, Prince Philip.

In a statement Wednesday posted on her Twitter account on her 95th birthday, and which she personally signed off as Elizabeth R, the monarch said it has been “a comfort” to “see and to hear all the tributes to my husband” from within the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world.

Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, died April 9 at age 99. Family and friends gathered for his funeral at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor on Saturday to say their final farewells. “My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days,” she said in her first remarks since Philip’s funeral, which was limited to 30 guests because of coronavirus restrictions.

“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. The queen said she had received “many messages of good wishes” for her 95th birthday, which she “very much” appreciated.