Queen Elizabeth Shares A Poignant Message On Her 95th Birthday

Queen Elizabeth II has been seen, but not heard from, since what we can only imagine is the devastating loss of her husband of more than 70 years, Prince Philip. But that changed as she celebrated her 95th birthday, when social media carried a brief and poignant note from Her Majesty. While she thanked the many people who reached out to her with birthday greetings, there was also thanks for the support the family received in the days following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Her message, which was posted on Twitter, read: "I have, on the occasion of my 95th birthday today, received many messages of good wishes, which I very much appreciate.

"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."

The queen will remain in official mourning until Friday

Public officials and royal watchers went on Twitter to mark the queen's birthday and to send their greetings to the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted, "I would like to send my warm wishes to Her Majesty The Queen on her 95th birthday. I have always had the highest admiration for Her Majesty and her service to this country and the Commonwealth. I am proud to serve as her Prime Minister." Her former press secretary turned commentator Dickie Arbiter tweeted, "The Queen – 95 today – will quietly mark her birthday at #WindsorCastle where she mourns for #PrincePhilip, her husband of 73 years and the man she fell in love with 82 years ago. We share in [your] grief Ma'am. #QueensBirthday." Also joining in the chorus were members of the British Armed Forces as well as the Foreign Office.

The Telegraph reports the queen is still in her mourning period following the death of Prince Philip and will remain so until Friday. She will likely be joined by her younger sons, Princes Andrew and Edward, as well as Edward's wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, for a private lunch to mark her birthday.