Queen ‘deeply touched’ by tributes to husband as she marks 95th birthday

Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday said she has been “deeply touched” by tributes to her late husband Prince Philip as she quietly celebrated her 95th birthday.

“I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate,” the queen said in a statement, according to CNN. “While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.”

The Queen typically celebrates her birthday privately each year, though the occasion is publicly marked with a tradition of gun salutes in England’s Hyde Park, Windsor Great Park and at the Tower of London. This year, that tradition was absent as the Royal Family continues to mourn, CNN reported.

“My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life,” the queen said in the statement.

The Royal Family shared a photo of the queen on Twitter on Wednesday to mark her birthday.

“Today is The Queen’s 95th birthday. HM was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in London, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York,” the tweet read.

Today is The Queen’s 95th birthday.

HM was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in London, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York.

This year The Queen remains at Windsor Castle during a period of Royal Mourning following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh. pic.twitter.com/kOeH399Ndp

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2021

“This year The Queen remains at Windsor Castle during a period of Royal Mourning following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh,” the tweet continued.

Philip died earlier this month at the age of 99. He had been married to the queen for more than 70 years and had served by her side throughout her 69-year reign.