How The Queen Will Spend Her Birthday Without Prince Philip

Suffice to say, Queen Elizabeth II is presumably still reeling from bidding farewell to her husband of 73 years on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Prince Philip was 99 years old at the time of his death.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Duke of Edinburgh was transported from Windsor Castle to St. George's Chapel and honored with a small, no frills ceremony with only close family members in attendance before being temporarily laid to rest in the royal vault. (He and the queen will be reunited and buried together at the Frogmore Estate, per USA Today.)

Alas, life still goes on and, on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, the queen will be celebrating an important milestone — her 95th birthday. Only this time the great love of her life won't be by her side her to mark the occasion.

So what will the queen's first birthday sans Prince Philip look like? Keep reading after the jump to find out.

Queen Elizabeth II is planning a much more subdued birthday

Though Queen Elizabeth II will be celebrating a milestone birthday on April 21, 2021, it appears this celebration will be much quieter than birthdays past.

As reported by People, this year HRH will forego the time honored tradition of releasing a new portrait to the masses to commemorate the special day. Instead, she plans to observe the day accompanied by staff members and her three furry friends, along with various family members who are expected to drop by intermittently to visit with the queen and pay their respects. Rumor has it that Elizabeth's grandson Prince Harry will stop by, as it has been speculated that he will most likely prolong his trip across the pond until after the queen's special day.

Though the queen is still undoubtedly in a state of mourning, her birthday will also look different due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In an effort to keep health a priority, it's reported that Elizabeth's staff has considered throwing a pared-down version of a celebration in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.

We can only imagine what Elizabeth will wish for when blowing her candles out this year. Our deepest condolences go out to the (birthday) queen.