Queen to have a lonely 95th birthday with tiny staff ‘bubble’ at Windsor as family sets up 'rota' to visit her
Queen Elizabeth will turn 95 on Wednesday, April 21. It will be her first birthday in seven decades without her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was buried on April 17. What should have been a joyous occasion, marked with all the traditional pomp and splendor has changed with the family still in mourning for the duke. With his passing and the Covid-19 pandemic raging, birthday celebrations for the Queen were always expected to be a bare minimum.
Now, we have our first look at just how bare the celebrations will be. If reports are to be believed, the Queen will not be celebrating her birthday this year, but she won't be alone. The monarch will reportedly be visited by family, who have established a 'rota' to keep her company.
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The Daily Mail was the first to report on the plans for the day. Here's everything we know about how the Queen will spend April 21 in a year drastically different from previous ones since the royal family will remain in mourning till April 26, Thursday.
Traditions shelved
Normally, the Queen releases a portrait or images from the royal family to mark her birthday. In 2016, her 90th birthday portrait featured Prince Charles with her. In 2005, it was an oil painting by Rolf Harris. The pictures provide the public with a look into the life of the monarchy and are often eagerly awaited by the press. However, that won't be the case this year. Out of respect for Prince Philip, this year's portrait has been canceled. The Mail did not report if the Buckingham Palace would release the portrait at a later date, like her official birthday in June.
Due to Covid-19 guidelines, the Queen was forced to sit alone at the duke's funeral. It is likely she will spend the day in a similar fashion. As she has done most days since the pandemic, she is expected to drive up to Frogmore House to spend the day. The Mail reported that she will drive herself to the estate "to walk her new puppies, Fergus, a dorgi, and corgi Muick." The Queen was also spotted at Frogmore after The Duke's funeral, "for some quiet contemplation".
The Ministry of Defence also confirmed that the traditional gun salute has also been shelved. Usually, the Queen's birthday is celebrated by a 41-gun salute at Hyde Park and a 21-gun salute from the Tower of London. This year though, that will be missing. It is also understood that the Queen will receive visitors, with a 'rota' being drawn up to ensure she is not completely alone. Prince Andrew and Edward are expected to visit as are Prince Charles, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It is unclear who has arranged these visits and if they will all visit the Queen together or in groups. We do know that the Queen will be surrounded by her small 'bubble' of staff at Windsor Castle.
Harry may also make a visit to his grandmother. The date for his return to the US is not yet confirmed and a source told The Sun, "If all goes well, he could stay for the Queen's birthday." After the funeral, he was seen talking to his brother and he also reportedly met with his father.
Changes in the future
The Queen is also expected to be back at work the following day. Aides have reportedly arranged for a series of low-key engagements, mostly via video calls. She won't be seen in public till May 11, the day Parliament reopens. The state opening is usually presided over by the Queen and the duke, but now Prince Charles accompanies the Queen since Prince Philip stepped away from public engagements. Sources told the Mail, "There is a concerted effort under way to ensure she has more support in the future, should she need it." It is expected that she will always have company to future engagements from her family if she desires.
One of those engagements will be to decide the future of 'The Firm'. With the passing of Prince Philip, the Queen along with Prince Charles and William are expected to meet to discuss the future of the monarchy. Among the topics for discussion are the roles of 'working royals' and the future of the patronages of Prince Philip. Reportedly, Prince Charles is taking a lead in matters since these will directly affect him should he become king. It is likely that Prince Edward and Sophie will step in to replace Harry and Meghan.