Queen Elizabeth II uses 95th birthday to thank public for support following Prince Philip's death
On her 95th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II has expressed her thanks for all the "support and kindness" shown following the death of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Key points:
- Queen Elizabeth II, the world's longest-reigning monarch, turned 95 on Wednesday
- The Queen is reportedly spending her birthday at Windsor Castle
- There will be few celebrations as the royal family continues to mourn the death of Prince Philip
Prince Philip, who was married to the Queen for 73 years, died on April 9 at the age of 99.
"My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days," she said in her first remarks since Prince Philip's funeral on Saturday.
"We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life," she added.
The Queen said she had received "many messages of good wishes" for her 95th birthday, which she "very much" appreciated.
As her birthday falls within the two-week period of royal mourning for her late husband, commemorations this year are subdued.
Across the UK, there will be no public celebrations for the Queen's birthday. Gun salutes at the Tower of London and at London's Hyde Park cancelled.
While Buckingham Palace has refused to comment on family matters following the funeral, it is expected the Queen will mark her birthday in low-key fashion with some family members at Windsor Castle.
Birthday comes amid tensions in royal family
The Queen's 95th birthday comes as the royal family continues to grapple with one of its greatest scandals in recent decades.
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, accused his family of racism and neglect against his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
The Prince also accused his father, Prince Charles, and his brother, Prince William, of being "trapped" by the institution of the monarchy. Both men are first and second in line to the throne respectively.
The pair made the claims during a television interview with American star Oprah Winfrey in March.
There was intense media focus on Prince Harry at the funeral of Prince Philip, his grandfather, as it was the first time he had been with the royal family since the interview.
He was seen after the funeral talking to his brother William, the Duke of Cambridge.
AP/Reuters