Queen marks 95th birthday privately days after Prince Philip’s funeral

No photograph expected to be released to mark occasion which falls during official two-week mourning period

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Queen is marking her 95th birthday quietly and privately five days after the death of her husband Prince Philip.

Members of the royal family have visited Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle as she mourns her “beloved” Duke of Edinburgh, with some expected to join her at her official residence for her birthday on Wednesday.

As the birthday falls within the two-week period of royal mourning, there is expected to be no photograph to mark the occasion.

The pandemic has meant Trooping the Colour,  Queen’s official birthday celebration held in June, has been cancelled for a second year running.

Last summer a "mini Trooping" was staged at Windsor Castle. This year, Buckingham Palace has said options for an "alternative parade" were being considered at the Queen’s Berkshire home.

Concerns around safety during the pandemic had prompted the monarch to isolate with Philip and a small group from her household in what has been known as the ‘HMS Bubble’.

The majority of Philip’s final 12 months of life were spent living with the Queen in the same home they spent the beginning of married life in.

Some of the Queen’s working life has moved online, with audiences with new ambassadors conducted by video calls while her weekly audiences with the Prime Minister have become telephone conversations.

The Queen’s 95th birthday comes less than two weeks after the passing of Prince Phillip, and after his family and friends gathering at St George’s Chapel at Windsor to say their final goodbyes on 17 April.

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 already planned to be a more low-key affair.

The Queen had been married to Philip for 73 years and described him as her "strength and stay".

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