Although Queen Elizabeth II is still in mourning following the death of Prince Philip, she used the occasion of her birthday to meditate on her late husband. The Queen turned 95 on Wednesday and she seemed to be reminiscing about the 73 years spent with her life partner.
In a message released by Buckingham Palace, the royal admitted to being “deeply touched” by the support she and her family have received in the days since Philip’s death on April 9.
Queen Elizabeth Said That Although Her Family Is in a ‘Period of Sadness’ That She ‘Very Much Appreciated’ the Birthday Wishes She Has Received.
“I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate,” Queen Elizabeth’s address reads. “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.”
She also thanked the public for their support and kindness following her husband’s passing. “We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.”
RELATED: Queen Elizabeth’s Husband Prince Philip Passes Away at 99
The statement marks the first public message from the Queen since the funeral which occurred last Saturday. The world witnessed the funeral as it was broadcast worldwide from St. George’s Castle, showing the Queen sitting alone, due to COVID-19 restrictions mourning her husband’s death.
An earlier press release stated that the royal will be spending her birthday at Windsor Castle, privately, as she is still “in a period of royal mourning.”
The note arrived just days after news broke that the Queen’s longtime friend Sir Michael Oswald had died on Saturday. Yes, as the Queen’s husband was laid to rest, her close friend died.
The Queen has an affinity for horses and it should come as no surprise that her horse racing advisor was also considered a dear friend. Sir Michael was 86.
Oswald became manager of the Royal Studs in 1970 and remained in the role for 28 years, in addition to acting as a racing manager to the Queen Mother and a jumps adviser for the Queen. He was often seen with the monarch at various races.
“He always said he had the most wonderful job anybody could ever have had and that for all his working life he was simply doing what he would have done had he been a rich man who didn’t have to work,” Lady Angela, Sir Michael’s widow, wrote for Racing Post.
In total, Sir Michael offered the queen a half-century of racing service, playing a key role in the royal family’s horse-racing interests.
“He was very close to the Queen and the Queen Mother and loved his role with their horses,” said Nicky Henderson, who was a colleague of Sir Michael for two decades.
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He described how Sir Michael would travel all over England to watch the Queen’s horses jump. “The Queen once said to me that we had to stop Michael traveling all over the country,” Henderson revealed. “I did very respectfully point out she was the only one who could do that.”
We imagine the losses Queen Elizabeth has suffered in recent days are weighing on her. However, we are pleased to learn that the tributes pouring in from around the world are helping her to remember Prince Philip’s “extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.”
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