Today isn’t any ordinary day for the Queen; not only is it Her Majesty’s 95th birthday, but it is also her first birthday since losing her husband, Prince Philip.
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The Queen set to celebrate 95th birthday without Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth revealed that she is ‘coping’ after laying her husband of 73 years to rest on Saturday. Thinking about others before herself, the Queen chose to sit alone during the ceremony, resulting in a solemn image that undoubtedly touched the hearts of many. The only comfort the Queen had at her side was a photo of herself and Prince Philip as newlyweds, alongside his handkerchief. A source revealed:
In typical fashion the Queen has insisted she is coping and despite the suggestion she had prepared herself for this day to come, everyone is well aware there is nothing like the experience when it comes.
However, the Queen won’t be grieving alone today. The royal family have agreed on a rota to take turns visiting Her Majesty at Windsor Castle.
A heartwarming birthday gesture
It comes as no surprise that the ladies of the family - Princess Anne, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Wessex and The Duchess of Cambridge - all helped to organise the rota in a heartwarming gesture.
Not only will the Queen be continuously surrounded by loved ones, but she will also have two new corgi puppies to keep her company also. The source continued: ‘The Queen will not be alone.’
She will have others who care about her deeply and want to be there to support her in her most pressing hour.
Prince Charles is expected to participate in the rota and make the 90-minute journey from Gloucester to Windsor to spend some time with his mother, as will his sister Princess Anne.
Sophie Countess of Wessex has grown close to the Queen during the pandemic and has planned multiple visits with Her Majesty alongside her two children Lady Louise Windsor and James Viscount Severn.
Unfortunately, due to school resuming, Kate Middleton won’t be able to make the journey to visit the Queen in person. The Duchess has scheduled multiple video calls so that Her Majesty can see her great-grandchildren and Prince William.
Prince Harry will be missing his grandmothers birthday this year as he is set to return to California to be with his wife, Meghan Markle, who is heavily pregnant with their second child.
The Queen will then have no further engagements until at least Thursday when the national two-week mourning period will be over.
