He‘s not a fan of birthdays but Prince Philip agreed to be photographed in a rare picture with the Queen to mark his 99th birthday on Wednesday. The “Iron Duke,” who typically doesn’t like a fuss being made around his birthday, was happy to pose for the picture, taken on Monday in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle.
Smiling for the camera in the sunshine, his hands clasped behind his back the Duke appeared fit and well—he stood without assistance while wearing a
blazer accessorized with a Household Division tie. Sources say he is in good health despite not having been seen in public since January.
In the picture Her Majesty is seen wearing an Angela Kelly dress with the Cullinan V diamond brooch, also looking the picture of health. This weekend would have seen the official celebrations of her 94th birthday, but the Trooping the Colour ceremony has been cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.
This is the first time the Duke has been photographed since the start of the year, though rumors about his health have persisted since he was hospitalized shortly before Christmas for a pre-existing medical condition. Philip has rarely been seen in public since stepping back from public duties in 2017, though he did release a rare statement thanking the medical community during the Covid pandemic.
Sources have said that the Duke plans to celebrate his birthday quietly with the Queen over a special lunch. The couple are self-isolating at Windsor and have not seen members of the family since the lockdown began in mid-March. It is expected that he will spend some of the day on the phone speaking to his children and grandchildren ,who will be keen to wish him a happy birthday. While the Queen is a whiz on video conference calls, sources say the duke is less technical.
“He’s not one for technology or fuss but I expect there will be some phone calls with his family,” said a royal source. In a recent TV interview Prince Charles said he was missing his family and revealed that he hasn’t seen his father for months. “Well I haven’t seen my father for a long time. He’s going to be 99 next week…it’s terribly sad,” Charles said. While the family speaks regularly on the phone it is not certain when they will get to see each other again.
The Queen, who was photographed riding out in Windsor last week, is said to be enjoying the lockdown, particularly because she is getting to spend more time with her husband. Philip spends most of the year at the Sandringham estate, while the Queen divides her time between London and Windsor, meaning they often go for weeks without seeing each other.
“The lockdown has given them an opportunity to spend a lot more time together which has been wonderful,” said a royal source. “They dine together most evenings and I think they’ve both enjoyed having this time to be with each other. I’m sure she will do something special to mark his birthday.”
The royal couple have been married for 73 years, making theirs the longest standing marriage in royal history.
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
— As Protests Continue, the Limits of the Social Media Brand Have Never Been Clearer
— Why Meghan Markle Fled the United Kingdom
— Exclusive First Look at New Photograph of Blues Legend Robert Johnson
— Britain’s Historic Castles Face “Armageddon” as Coronavirus Torpedoes Tourist Season
— Why the Palace Is Pushing Back Hard on a Recent Kate Middleton Report
— Cruise Ships Just Weeks Away From Setting Sail
— From the Archive: What the Legends of the Laurel Canyon Scene—Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Linda Ronstadt, and Others—Remember
Looking for more? Sign up for our daily newsletter and never miss a story.