Queen marks 95th birthday after death of Prince Philip

21 April 2021, 08:43 | Updated: 21 April 2021, 12:12

The Queen will mark her 95th birthday privately following the death of her "beloved" husband the Duke of Edinburgh
The Queen will mark her 95th birthday privately following the death of her "beloved" husband the Duke of Edinburgh. Picture: PA

By Maddie Goodfellow

The Queen will today mark her 95th birthday privately following the death of her "beloved" husband the Duke of Edinburgh.

Members of the monarchy have been supporting the Queen throughout the mourning period for Philip, and some of her family are expected to be with her at Windsor Castle.

Her birthday falls within the two-week period of royal mourning, which is being observed until Friday, so no photograph to mark the milestone is expected to be released.

In a statement posted on Twitter as she marked her 95th birthday, the Queen said: "I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate.

"While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.

"My family and I would like to thank you for all the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life."

Boris Johnson said he was "proud to serve as her Prime Minister" in a message on social media.

Mr Johnson 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."

Philip's family and friends gathered at St George's Chapel in Windsor on Saturday to say their final farewell to the duke, who died peacefully on April 9.

His 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 to be more low-key.

After 73 years of married life the Queen now reigns alone without the support of her "strength and stay", as she famously described her late husband.

Prince Philip was driven by 'sense of duty' to Queen

The Queen, like the rest of the nation, has spent much of the past 12 months in lockdown but has also experienced issues within her family.

The fallout from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision in January 2020 to step down as senior royals was still being felt in March that year when the country went into the first lockdown.

Harry and Meghan's recent interview with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey plunged the monarchy into another crisis when they made accusations of racism within the family and a lack of support for Meghan's mental health.

The Queen's domestic situation changed, with the threat of coronavirus prompting the 94-year-old monarch to isolate with Philip and a small group from her household - dubbed HMS Bubble.

For much of the final 12 months of his life the duke and the Queen lived under the same roof as they did at the start of their marriage when she and Philip were a Royal Navy couple.

Some of the Queen's working life has moved online, with audiences with new ambassadors carried out over video calls, while her weekly audiences with the Prime Minister have become telephone conversations.

'Heartbreaking' to see HM alone at Duke of Edinburgh's funeral

One happier moment last year saw the Queen knight Captain Sir Tom Moore, who travelled to Windsor Castle with his family to be honoured by the monarch in July for his fundraising efforts.

In her televised addresses to the nation last April and at Christmas, the Queen delivered messages of hope praising the efforts of individuals and calling on the nation to "remain united and resolute" in the face of Covid-19.

The Queen's grandson, the Duke of Cambridge, has pledged to uphold the wishes of Philip and continue to support the Queen and "get on with the job".

The pandemic has meant the Queen's official birthday celebration known as Trooping the Colour, normally staged in June, has been cancelled for a second year running.

Last summer, an event dubbed "mini Trooping" was staged at Windsor Castle, and Buckingham Palace has said options for an "alternative parade" were being considered at the Queen's Berkshire home.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was visited by Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, in hospital in Ahmedabad

How sole survivor 'walked out' of Air India crash: 'Miracle of seat 11A' passenger describes how he made it out

Adele Tait and her partner Craig were found dead in their tent after going camping last week.

Couple found dead in tent after camping in UK beauty spot

Maurizio Cattelan: “America” a solid gold toilet installed on the fourth floor of the Guggenheim museum in New York City. United States of America.

Two men involved in £4.75m gold toilet heist to be sentenced

Two doctors and their three children snapped a heartbreaking final selfie onboard the doomed Air India plane

Doctor couple and their children took selfie to celebrate 'new beginnings' moments before disaster struck

Air India plane makes emergency landing in Thailand less than 24h after Gatwick flight horror

Air India plane makes emergency landing in Thailand less than 24h after Gatwick flight horror

Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, the British YouTuber and rapper known as ‘Yung Filly' is seen leaving the Perth Magistrates Court in Perth, Thursday, December 19,

British rapper Yung Filly facing additional charges linked to sexual assault of woman in Australia

The aftermath of the explosion in Tehran, Iran.

Middle East braces for 'all out war' after Israel strikes against Iran and Tehran responds with 'around 100 drones'

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Israel launches strikes on Iran 'nuclear sites' with explosions heard in Tehran - as US says it's 'not involved'

Exclusive
Sir Sadiq Khan has told LBC News that he's concerned knife crime could rise because the Met Police weren't given more funding in Rachel Reeves' spending review.

Sadiq Khan warns knife crime could rise after Met Police miss out in Rachel Reeves' spending review

Officer Clive Kunder, top right, and Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, bottom right, warned the plane was losing power moments before it crashed.

Air India pilot's chilling 'mayday' call as he warned plane was 'losing power' moments before crash killed 229 on board

Fireworks thrown at Riot Police illluminate the road during this week's protests in Ballymena, Northern Ireland

Police come under attack for fourth night in Northern Ireland as force say 'bigots and racists' behind unrest

Tottenham have appointed Thomas Frank as their new head coach, the Premier League club have announced.

Thomas Frank joins Spurs as new boss on three-year deal

A family-of-three, a wellness influencer couple, and a hotel manager travelling with his wife and two children, are among the Brits who were on board the Air India Flight.

The Brits on board crashed Air India flight as 52 UK nationals confirmed dead

Air India confirms only one survivor from 242 people on board Ahmedabad plane crash

Air India confirms only one survivor from 242 people on board Ahmedabad plane crash

Pro-Palestinian activists shout slogans while waving Palestinian flags as around one and a half thousand participants in the Resilience Convoy depart from Tunis, Tunisia.

Egypt deports and detains dozens of activists participating in march to Gaza in bid to end Israeli blockade

Aria Aber, Miranda July, Nussaibah Younis, Elizabeth Strout, Sanam Mahloudji and Yael van der Wouden attend the 2025 Women's Prize Winner's Ceremony, taking place at Bedford Square Gardens, London.

'A classic in the making': Debut novel by Dutch author wins 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction