The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate his 99th birthday with a light lunch and Zoom calls to the family
PRINCE Philip will celebrate his 99th birthday next week with none other than the Queen, 94, by his side.
Royal sources have confirmed that there were no plans for a larger celebration to mark the occasion, instead the pair will enjoy a simple lunch together at Windsor Castle.
Although the lockdown will prevent the Duke of Edinburgh from celebrating with the rest of the royal family, sources that say that he "characteristically taciturn" about the occasion as it is and does not like to make a fuss.
But the day won't be made without a chat with the family so Philip will enjoy Zoom and phone calls with family and friends –including Prince Charles in Scotland, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Norfolk and Harry and Meghan in Los Angeles.
As with other royal birthdays, there'll no doubt be a post on social media, with family also sharing birthday wishes online online.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace hopes to mark the occasion publicly in some small way, "depending on how His Royal Highness feels", reports.
"He’s not one for fuss, as you know," a source said, adding that the whole day will very much be "low key".
According to Philip’s cousin and childhood friend Myra Butter, he has always insisted on "no fuss, no bother".
Meanwhile, Lady Butter, 95 – who shares a great-great-grandfather with Philip – said: "He has such an incredibly active mind. And he’s a great reader, so interested in things.
"He’s got enormous knowledge and I am absolutely certain there must be a link between that and his long and healthy life. He’s such an enigma, really.
"He has that thirst for knowledge. He still paints, he sees his horses and keeps abreast of everything in the news."
Speaking of the duke's age as of next week, Lady Butter added: "He still enjoys the greatest role of all, supporting the Queen. As for a party to celebrate turning 99? Goodness me, no! He never wants a fuss, ever!"
Philip has been in isolation at Windsor Castle with the Queen since before Easter which has been the longest amount of time the couple have spent there together for as long as anyone can remember, an insider noted.
Since he retired in 2017, the duke has largely resided at Wood Farm on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate - aside from the occasional visits to Windsor and a longer summer stay at Balmoral.
In other royal news, we told you how the Queen developed a ‘good left hook’ when she was young after having fights with Princess Margaret despite being close
And the Queen has banned the royal family from playing Monopoly as it ‘gets too vicious’.
Meanwhile Meghan Markle has been secretly working with animal charity as it battles funding crisis during coronavirus lockdown.