Prince Philip birthday: How will Prince Philip celebrate his birthday today?
PRINCE PHILIP is celebrating his 99th birthday today. But how is he planning to commemorate the occasion?
Prince Philip and Queen take photo to commemorate birthday
Prince Philip is celebrating his final double-digit birthday today and this year his birthday will be unlike any other. The Duke of Edinburgh has spent his days since his retirement in a modest unassuming cottage on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. But how exactly is he planning to celebrate his birthday?
Prince Philip, 98, joined the Royal Family in 1947 when he married Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth.
He went on to become the longest-serving consort of the Queen when her father King George VI died in 1952.
The Duke of Edinburgh worked beside the Queen for 65 years, completing 22,219 solo engagements and 637 solo overseas trips.
He also delivered 5,496 speeches and was a patron of 785 organisations.
READ MORE: Prince Philip favourite drink: The relatable drink Duke loves
Since 2017 Prince Philip has been retired and has spent most of his time whiling away his days at Wood Farm cottage.
He is said to be spending his time reading history books and biographies at the five-bedroom property in Norfolk.
Philip reportedly regards novels with “suspicion” but is thought to enjoy painting watercolours and entertaining friends and family who visit him.
For the most part, the Duke of Edinburgh has kept out of the public eye - but today all eyes are on Philip as he turns 99.
The Royal Family twitter account posted: "Wishing The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy birthday! His Royal Highness turns 99 today and will spend the day with The Queen at Windsor."
But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen and Prince Philip are limited on what they might have wanted to do to commemorate the occasion.
There will be no large gather with family and friends, but instead, the Queen and Prince Philip are expected to sit down to enjoy a meal together.
Royal biographer Robert Lacey told Hello Magazine: “Given the panorama of experience they share, their interest in their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I'm sure talking to them on the phone on video calls is a pleasure they share.
“The Duke has always been the gadget man and he must revel in it in that sense.”
DON'T MISS
Prince Charles shares picture from childhood for Philip's birthday - PICTURES
Kate and Prince William share rare pictures to mark Philip's birthday - INSIGHT
Kate Middleton quiz: How well do you know the Duchess of Cambridge? - QUIZ
Prince Philip may get to choose the meal chosen for his birthday meal.
Reportedly, the Duke prefers more adventurous food choices than his wife.
Former royal chef Darren McGrady said: “Prince Philip has a much broader palate than Her Majesty.
“The Queen eats to live whereas Prince Philip lives to eat.”
He added: “He loved all that sort of real spicy food… He could explore more and enjoy those when the queen was away.”
But it is not only the coronavirus pandemic which acted as a driving force for the 98-year-old’s decision.
For his 93rd birthday, Philip attended a Buckingham Palace garden party for his birthday.
Around 8,000 guests were invited to attend the event.
But those wishing to provide their happy wishes to Philip were advised by ushers not to mention it.
In fact, when one woman offered a present he promptly asked her to hand it to someone else as he didn’t want to “lug it round the garden.”
Royal expert Christopher Warwick told Express.co.uk said the Duke is “very much a “no-fuss” kind of man”.
Mr Warwick said however, Philip would likely commemorate his 100th birthday with a big celebration next year.
He said: “ That said, landmark birthdays have been significantly marked.
“His 80th in 2001, for example, was celebrated on his actual birthday, with Mattins at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, followed by a reception in St George’s Hall at which The Queen spoke a few words in tribute to Philip and Princess Margaret, as president of the Royal Ballet, had arranged for 20 of the boy dancers from the Royal Ballet School to perform a specially choreographed version of the ‘Hornpipe’ for him.
“A reference of course to his naval career.”