Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms marked her 95th birthday on Wednesday.
The Queen, who is also the world’s longest-reigning monarch, spent her birthday at Windsor Castle, which traditionally passes off with little or no ceremony.
Since the Royals are marking two weeks of mourning following the demise of Prince Philip, it will be even more low key, with no gun salutes at the Tower of London or the capital’s Hyde park.
The queen has an official birthday which is usually celebrated with greater pomp on the second Saturday in June.
“I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate,” she said in her statement.
The Queen added that she had been deeply touched by the tributes paid to her husband Prince Philip.
Prince Philip, whom Elizabeth married in 1947, died on April 9 aged 99 and the royals paid their final respects to the family’s patriarch at a funeral on Saturday at Windsor Castle.
“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 said.
“My family and I would like to thank you all for 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.”