Is Queen Elizabeth's 95th birthday bash canceled? Plans might be paused due to Prince Philip's death, Covid-19
Buckingham Palace had confirmed in March 2021 that Queen Elizabeth's public birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour, is likely going to be minimal and distanced because of the pandemic. But now, after Prince Philip's recent death, it is a pertinent question — will the Queen's birthday celebrations be canceled this year or will they go on as usual?
As the UK reels from Prince Philip's death and the pandemic, it remains unclear whether the celebrations for the Queen's birthday, which is on April 21, will be going as per the plan; there are not only one but multiple reasons for the same.
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Queen is up and about
It has, by now, been widely reported that the Queen returned to attend to her royal duties on Tuesday, which was only four days after the death of her husband. The 94-year-old monarch hosted a retirement ceremony for the former Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel just days after her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, died on Friday at Windsor Castle. Prince Andrew, Duke of York, reportedly said that his mother has been stoical and that the family has been trying to support her.
In addition to that, according to the Daily Mail, the Queen may have to sit apart from family members during her husband's funeral, following strict Covid-19 guidelines. She may be up and about but celebrations are far too indulgent for a mourning period.
No Trooping the Colour
According to March 2021 reports, the Queen's birthday will not see the usual celebrations for the second time in a row. Buckingham Palace confirmed the news in a statement, saying, "Following consultation with Government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that The Queen’s Official Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London. Options for an alternative Parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered." In addition to that, the statement also confirmed that the annual Garter service, which usually takes place in June, "will not take place this year."
For the unawares, the Queen's actual birthday is in April, but Trooping the Colour is her "official" public celebration — a tradition that was reportedly started by King George II in 1748 to have an official birthday in the summertime. While the annual events usually see large crowds, a military demonstration, and carriage processions, last year's ceremony was scaled down to a smaller, more socially distanced event at Windsor Castle.
Business as usual
It has also gained wide speculation whether the Queen plans to abdicate. Regardless of the rumors, it is highly unlikely that the Queen will choose to retire from her royal duties and public life. She is expected to return to “business as usual” mode following a period of mourning, a number of royal experts have suggested. “I can assure you the Queen will not abdicate,” royal historian Hugo Vickers told Reuters. “There is every indication the Queen is in extremely good health and with luck, she will continue to be our queen for as long as possible."
Considering all this, it seems likely that this year's birthday event for the Queen might not be what her followers and supporters are looking forward to, but given the circumstances — Covid-19 regulations and Prince Philip's death — it is likely to be different. We'll be sure to update this article as more information is released for the public.