At 94 years old, The Queen can’t take any risks when it comes to potentially exposing herself to the coronavirus.
Since the pandemic broke out in the UK in March, The Queen and her husband Prince Philip, 98, have been self-isolating at Windsor Castle.
But now, Buckingham Palace have confirmed the monarch is set to make her first official appearance since bunkering down to mark her birthday, announcing a small military ceremony is set to take place at Windsor Castle later this month on June 13.
“There will be a small, brief, military ceremony at Windsor Castle to make the Queen’s official birthday,” a spokesperson said.
It’s believed the royal ruler, who spoke to the nation in a stirring address in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak back in April, will attend the event, which will be carried out by troops from the Welsh Guard and will involve a royal salute.
The history-making procession will reportedly be broadcast live by the BBC, but due to current government restrictions, there will be no large crowds or public spectators allowed to attend.
However, The Queen’s husband Prince Philip will reportedly be in attendance.
Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures and this new style of birthday celebration for Her Majesty is history in the making.
(Image: Buckingham Palace)According to the Daily Mail, the event will be an “unprecedented miniature version” of the annual Trooping The Colour event.
“The parade, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher, will involve a small contingent of men from his regiment, the Welsh Guards, accompanied by a rather diminished group of the massed Bands of the Household Division,” a source explained to the publication.
As per tradition, The Queen marks her birthday on both the real date, April 21, and the June long weekend in the British summer with a vibrant Trooping The Colour procession, which sees key members of the British Royal Family gather on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the official flyover.
VIP guest: Prince Philip, 98, will reportedly attend the procession for his wife.
(Image: Getty)However, Trooping The Colour 2020 was officially cancelled in March due to coronavirus.
“In line with Government advice, it has been agreed that The Queen’s Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead in its traditional form,” a statement said at the time.
In her 68-year reign, this is the only the second time Trooping the Colour has not gone ahead, with the first being in 1955 due to a national rail strike.
Trooping The Colour is perhaps the most vibrant and enjoyable spectacle in the royal calendar.
(Image: Getty)
