Queen's birthday: Experts discuss family's royal mourning

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Queen Elizabeth II, 94, is expected to mark her 95th birthday with very little fanfare on Wednesday as the milestone falls just 12 days after her husband of 73 years Prince Philip passed away. While the Queen will spend tomorrow in private at Windsor Castle, she will officially celebrate her birthday on the second weekend of June.

Why does the Queen have two birthdays?

The tradition of the British sovereign having an actual birthday as well as an official public birthday celebration dates back to King George II in 1748.

George II was born in chilly November – not a good time of year for outdoor celebrations – so it was decided his birthday should be publicly marked when the weather was finer.

That’s how the decision to hold the monarch’s official birthday celebrations on the second Saturday of June first came about and it is a tradition that has stuck to this day.

The Queen’s actual birthday is April 21, 1926, but she also usually marks her official birthday at Trooping the Colour in June.

The spectacular parade through central London has been called off for a second year due to pandemic despite initial hopes it would go ahead as usual.

A pared-back military display is likely to be held at Windsor Castle instead, as was the case last year.

This year both the Queen’s birthdays will be particularly poignant as she marks them without Prince Philip for the first time in more than seven decades.

Asked his thoughts on the Queen’s 95th birthday, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said it was likely to be a “sad occasion”.

The expert told Express.co.uk: “This birthday will be a truly sad occasion for the Queen as she will be without her ‘strength and stay’ for over 73 years for the first time.

“Yet although owing to the restrictions imposed during the pandemic, she was alone during the Service on Saturday, she will have been much moved by the outpouring of sympathy for her at the passing of Prince Philip, a truly great Briton.

“She will also be sustained by her deep and abiding religious faith.”

DON’T MISS

Queen’s birthday without Prince Philip to be ‘truly sad occasion’ [INSIGHT]
Lady Louise Windsor ‘mentored by mum Sophie for high-profile role’ [PICTURES]
3 birthday traditions Queen won’t observe following Philip’s death[VIDEO]

The Queen’s birthday celebrations will be pared back this year and there will be no official portrait released or usual gun salutes to mark the milestone.

Mr Fitzwilliams added: “This will be a birthday like no other, there will be no portrait released or gun salutes fired from the Tower of London and Hyde Park as is customary.”

How will the Queen spend her birthday?

While coronavirus restrictions make a large gathering impossible, the Queen could unite with close family members for an outdoor birthday lunch in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “It is thought that there will be a private family lunch and she will doubtless speak to members of her family virtually during a day when she passes another milestone.”

According to royal insiders ahead of the Duke’s death, the Queen was more concerned about plans for his 100th birthday on June 10, than organising celebrations around her own milestone.

Sadly, Philip passed away on April 9 just months before he was meant to mark his centenary.

Royal Family members have rallied around the Queen following the Duke’s death and the dedicated monarch has continued to honour royal duties despite still being in an official period of mourning.

Source: Read Full Article