Queen Elizabeth’s 95th birthday this week will be a subdued occasion following the death of her husband of 73 years,Prince Philip.
This will beQueen Elizabeth’s first birthday following the death of her husband, who was buried at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Saturday. He died on April 9 at the age of 99, just two months shy of his 100th birthday.
There is also speculation thatPrince Harry, who returned to the U.K. for the first time in over a year from California to attend his grandfather’s funeral, will extend his trip until after the Queen’s birthday.
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth.Tim Graham/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth’spublic birthday celebrations will also be different this yeardue to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trooping the Colour — the festivities held annually in June to mark the Queen’s birthday, with the highlight being the royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace — was canceled for the second year in a row.
Queen Elizabeth and the royal family at Trooping the Colour in 2019.James Devaney/Getty
Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more onPrince Philip’s funeral.
In keeping with pandemic guidelines, the Queen and members of the congregation wore face masks and sat six feet apart. Sitting inside the chapel, the Queen could be seen with her face down, only the top of her black hat visible.
Queen Elizabeth.Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The day afterPrince Philip’s death, the Queen’s daughter-in-lawSophie, Countess of Wessextearfully told people gathered outside Windsor Castle that “the Queen has been amazing.”
A close royal insider adds, “She will never abdicate because of duty and honor and public service is so deep in her, as it was for him.”
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.Steve Parsons/Press Association via Getty
The Queenresumed her royal dutiesjust days after Philip’s death, hosting a retirement ceremony Tuesday at Windsor Castle in honor of Earl Peel who stepped down as Lord Chamberlain a week beforePrince Philipdied, according to theCourt Circular.
Prince Philip and the Queen on their wedding day.Hulton Archive/Getty
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“She fell in love, and she never looked at anyone else,” biographer Sally Bedell Smith tells PEOPLE in last week’s cover story.
source: people.com
