Queen Elizabeth II traveled back at Windsor Castle to mark her official birthday — her first since Prince Philip’s death.
Two months since Prince Philip died, Queen Elizabeth II stood alone at Windsor Castle to watch a military parade. The Saturday’s event honored her official birthday soon after she went back from the Group of Seven summit.
The 95-year-old monarch watched the ceremony amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Although she attended the meeting with G-7 leaders on the night prior to that, she did not look tired at all.
The Household Division of army regiments prepared the parade as a gift for the Queen. It presented the soldier who worked hard in the COVID-19 responses. The authorities on military operations also joined the event.
Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows drove nine planes that emitted red, white, and blue smoke.
Lt. Col. Guy Stone planned the event, and he said he wanted to make a “memorable and uplifting day” for the Queen.
The celebration came months after the Duke of Edinburgh passed away. The funeral of Prince Philip that Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family prepared for him happened at Windsor Castle. Despite losing him, Her Majesty still continues to perform her royal duties.
Queen Elizabeth II’s actual birthday is on April 26. However, she also celebrates another one every June whenever the country’s weather is good.
The royal family continues to observe this tradition which roots in 1748 during the reign of King George II. The former monarch also celebrated another birthday in June.
The Queen’s recent involvement
Prior to attending the event, Queen Elizabeth II joined the other G-7 leaders and their partners at the Eden Project. The venue features a botanical garden that houses the world’s largest indoor rainforest.
She even made the crowd laugh as she asked the group about “Are you supposed to be looking as if you’re enjoying yourself?” during the photo session.
Furthermore, Her Majesty hosted a ceremony for one of her senior aides soon after Prince Philip’s funeral. On April 13, she honored Earl Peel/Lord Chamberlain. He stepped down from his role as the household’s most senior official.
Although the monarchy urged a two-week mourning period, the royal family wanted to continue doing their engagements.
“The Earl Peel had an audience of The Queen today, delivered up his Wand and Insignia of Office as Lord Chamberlain and the Badge of Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Lord Chamberlain, when Her Majesty invested him with the Royal Victorian Chain,” the announcement said as quoted by Press Association.
Featured image courtesy of Titanic Belfast, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons