Solo photo of Queen released for her 95th birthday as she mourns Prince Philip
The official royal family Instagram account has released the picture of a smiling monarch, dressed in a plum hat and coat.
A caption read: ‘Today is The Queen’s 95th birthday.
‘The Queen was born at 2.40am on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. She was the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
‘This year Her Majesty remains at Windsor Castle, during a period of Royal Mourning following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh.’
The Queen’s birthday this year is expected to be low-key due to her beloved husband’s recent death and the pandemic.
Members of the monarchy have been supporting the Queen throughout the mourning period for Philip, which is being observed until Friday.
Some of the family are expected to visit Windsor Castle today and join the Queen for lunch.
The picture was released by the official royal family Instagram page
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is among those to have sent his regards for the day.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘I would like to send my warm wishes to Her Majesty The Queen on her 95th birthday.
‘I have always had the highest admiration for Her Majesty and her service to this country and the Commonwealth. I am proud to serve as her Prime Minister.’
It’s the second birthday the Queen has marked under Covid lockdown restrictions.
The Queen’s official birthday celebration known as Trooping the Colour, normally staged in June, has also been cancelled for a second year running because of the pandemic.
The Queen and Prince Philip pictured during celebrations for the
monarch’s 90th birthday at The Mall in 2016
The Queen stood alone at Philip’s funeral on Saturday due to
Philip’s death came a few months before his 100th birthday, which was due to be the focus of royal celebrations this year, while the Queen’s 95th was always planned to be more low-key.
The Queen has spent much of the last 12 months at Windsor Castle where she had been self-isolating with Philip and a small team, dubbed ‘HMS Bubble’.
Much of her work has moved online but she has been able to take part in a few in-person visits over the last year.
Prince Harry will not be among the members of the family to visit as he’s returned to the US to be with wife Meghan, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child.