Harper's Bazaar: Inside the Queen's Plans for 95th Birthday 4 Days after Her Husband's Funeral

Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 95th successful trip around the sun on Wednesday, but her birthday bash will look different this year following Prince Philip's death and the pandemic.

Queen Elizabeth is reaching the 95-year mark tomorrow, and despite the major milestone, the monarch's celebrations will take on a different form this year.

In the wake of Prince Philip's death and the ongoing regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Queen Elizabeth will ring in her 95th birthday with an intimate get-together instead of an elaborate party.

DEATH AND A PANDEMIC

Although celebrations are in order with the Queen's birthday around the corner, various factors play into the change of plans for the monarch's party in 2021.

Queen Elizabeth's birthday falls within the mourning period following the death of her husband of 73 years. Hence, she plans to spend the day with a few close family members and avoid a large gathering.

SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

This is the second birthday that the traditions surrounding the reigning royal's birthday have been put aside. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, the usual gun salutes at Hyde Park and the Tower of London were canceled.

Royal fans wonder if the Duke of Sussex will extend his stay to be able to celebrate his grandmother's birthday with his family.

The traditional gun salute will not occur this year either, and the summer party held in honor of the monarch every year, called Trooping the Colour, will be skipped in 2021.

NO NEW PORTRAIT

With the royal family's birthday traditions spoiled by COVID-19, the Duke of Edinburgh's death results in the lack of a new birthday portrait being released for Queen Elizabeth's 95th birthday.

Buckingham Palace announced that the monarch's big day would not go unmarked this year as they plan a smaller gathering to take place in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.

STILL IN MOURNING

The toned-down celebrations will be damped by the sadness that follows the death and funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth had to sit alone at her husband's funeral to keep with COVID-19 regulations.

The lonely and solitary moment of the monarch sitting in St. George's chapel alone marks the end of a 73-year-long love story between her and Prince Philip. He died at the age of 99.

Prince William and Prince Harry were united at their grandfather's funeral. The two brothers were seen walking and conversing after the service was finished, which showed that there might be an improvement in their relationship.

There is also speculation surrounding Prince Harry, who returned to the U.K. for the first time in a year, as royal fans wonder if the Duke of Sussex will extend his stay to celebrate his grandmother's birthday with his family.