Britain's mourning Queen marks low-key 95th birthday
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II turned 95 on Wednesday, days after husband Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday. While the national mourning period in memory of the Duke of Edinburgh officially concluded on Sunday, the monarch remains in mourning until Friday and there is unlikely to be any of the usual birthday markers such as the release of an official photograph by Buckingham Palace.
PM Boris Johnson wished her a Happy Birthday
The Queen is expected to spend the day privately at Windsor Castle, where she will be joined by some close members of the royal family. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a Twitter statement, "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."
Johnson expressed his admiration for Queen's work
Annual 'Trooping the Color' ceremony had already been called off
Prince Philip died on April 9, just under two months away from his 100th birthday, which was the focus of royal celebrations this year with the Queen's 95th being a low-key affair. The coronavirus situation meant that the annual "Trooping the Color" ceremony to celebrate the Queen's official birthday in early June had also been called off by Buckingham Palace back in March.
What is 'Trooping the Color' ceremony?
The "Trooping the Color" ceremony stems from the traditional preparations for battle when colors (or flags) were carried (trooped) down the rank to be seen and recognized by the soldiers. The full ceremony traditionally takes place at Horse Guards Parade in London and involves more than 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses. The event attracts thousands of spectators.
Queen to mark 75 years of her reign in 2022
The event has been canceled for the second year running and options for a smaller parade in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle are being considered. The Queen's close family is with her at Windsor along with around 20 staff. The Queen became the world's oldest monarch in 2015 and will be marking the platinum jubilee of her reign in June 2022.
