The Queen has marked her 95th birthday after losing her beloved husband Prince Philip and faced more heartache as she will never again enjoy one special birthday tradition.
- The Queen turned 95 on April 21, just days after her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh, was laid to rest.
- With his passing, Her Majesty will never again enjoy a heartfelt birthday tradition he is thought to have started many years ago.
- In other royal news, Prince Philip asked an 80-year-old photographer to hide in a fake pillar at his funeral for this surprising reason.
The Queen has spoken out for the first time since her husband Prince Philip’s poignant funeral on April 17, as she gave thanks for all the “support and kindness” she and the Royal Family have received since his passing. This message was shared on her momentous 95th birthday and it’s understood that the plans to mark this day were suspended following the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
Her Majesty remains in royal mourning until April 22 as she privately grieves her beloved husband of 73 years. It’s thought that upon her return to royal duties following this, her family members will “step up” to support her at future engagements.
The Queen will no doubt be taking great comfort in her loved ones at this time and despite the enormity of the occasion, her 95th birthday was likely a very difficult day without Prince Philip.
Now it seems there is a particularly touching birthday tradition he started which she will never again get to enjoy.
Speaking ahead of the Queen’s 94th birthday last year, royal biographer Ingrid Seward reportedly told Sky News that the Duke of Edinburgh gave his wife birthday flowers each year.
"Prince Philip always brings her a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and I presume that someone will definitely do that for him today”, she explained. “I think she likes white flowers and there’s always some lily of the valley - she loves flowers.”
The Queen is certainly believed to love flowers and has previously shared unique glimpses into the gardens of her residences such as Buckingham Palace and regularly attends the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The thought that Prince Philip kept a wonderful birthday tradition going and ensured the Queen received a beautiful bouquet of flowers throughout their marriage is incredibly moving.
With his death, the Queen will no longer get to experience this romantic gesture every year.
Though it seems likely that especially today as she reflects back on 95 years, happy memories of birthdays and times spent with Philip will be held closer than ever.
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