Celebrate solo? Queen Elizabeth IIBefore her 96th birthday, she traveled to her Sandringham Estate. Us Weekly confirms.
Buckingham Palace tells UseThe monarch, who was visiting her Windsor Castle residence on Wednesday April 20, arrived in Norfolk, England one day ahead of her birthday. “The Queen will be spending her birthday privately,” the palace adds.
Elizabeth’s decision may be a nod to her late husband, Prince Philip, who died at the same country estate in April 2021 at age 99. They were married for seven decades before Philip died. An insider said that the couple were married for more than seven decades before Philip’s death. Use that the queen’s birthday celebration was more “somber” in the wake of her loss.
“She’s grieving the loss of her beloved husband, Prince Philip, and spent the day with her corgis,” the source noted at the time. “She spoke to family members who are rallying together to keep her company. … Prince Philip’s passing has hit the queen harder than expected, but she’s remaining calm and collected.”
While reflecting on turning 95, the long-reigning royal thanked those around the world who wished her well after Philip’s death. “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 wrote in a statement shared via the royal family’s Instagram account in April 2021. “My family and I would like to thank you for all 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.”
Nearly a year later, members the royal family gathered to honour the late Duke Of Edinburgh with a memorial at Westminster Abbey. Prince HarryHe was unable to attend the March service. However, he and his wife were there. Meghan MarkleElizabeth at Windsor Castle was visited earlier in the month.
“Being with her, it was great,” the Duke of Sussex, 37, told Hoda KochThe meeting took place during his TodayInterview on Wednesday. “It was just so nice to see her. … She’s always got a great sense of humor with me.”
Harry and the SuitsThe 40-year-old alum was on their way to Invictus Games in the Netherlands and stopped at the castle. “Both Meghan and I had tea with her,” the U.K. native added. “It was really nice to catch up with her.”
Ahead of Harry’s candid sit-down, a source told UseThe former military pilot and the BenchAuthor gave Elizabeth an early birthday present. “Harry and Meghan had a wonderful time seeing the queen again,” the insider noted. “It was one of the biggest highlights of their year so far.”
