Charles, William and Kate send birthday wishes to Prince Philip as he turns 99

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Members of the royal family have sent birthday wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh on his 99th birthday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Kensington Royal social media account tweeted: “Wishing a very happy 99th Birthday to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh!”

The post included an image of William with his grandfather as they watched the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham in 2015, and one of Kate with Philip at the Patron’s Lunch celebrations for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016.

Philip was photographed with the Queen in the sunshine at Windsor Castle where he has been staying in lockdown to mark his milestone birthday.

The portrait was the first public image of the duke for nearly six months – he was last seen leaving hospital on Christmas Eve.

The Prince of Wales also wished the duke a “very happy 99th birthday”.

His Clarence House account posted an image of a young Charles with his father in a motor boat at Cowes in 1957, and another of them together, smiling at one another, in Poundbury, Dorset in 2016.

Philip retired from official duties in 2017 after decades of public service.

He was born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on the island of Corfu on June 10 1921 and has been married to the Queen for more than 70 years.

The couple’s Kensington Royal social media account tweeted: “Wishing a very happy 99th Birthday to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh!”

PA

The post included an image of William with his grandfather as they watched the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham in 2015, and one of Kate with Philip at the Patron’s Lunch celebrations for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016.

To mark his birthday, Philip and the Queen were pictured posing in the grounds of Windsor Castle in celebration of his June 10 birthday.

The photograph is the first public image of the duke since he was seen leaving a private hospital on Christmas Eve last year, following a four-night admission for treatment relating to an undisclosed but “pre-existing condition”.

And the picture, taken last week, says as much about Philip’s 72-year marriage to the head of state, who stands by her husband’s side, as his birthday.

His official birthday portrait
PA

Famously described by the Queen as her “strength and stay” the duke enters his 100th year in lockdown with the monarch, but is still active and engaging with events during the coronavirus outbreak.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said about their time shielding together at Windsor Castle: “It’s an opportunity for them in their later years to reconnect… It is the perfect royal cocooning.”

He added: “They will make a fuss of him on Wednesday as much as you can make a fuss of the Duke of Edinburgh.”

In the birthday picture, taken in the castle’s quadrangle, the Queen wears a bright floral dress and the Cullinan V heart-shaped diamond brooch, while Philip, with his hands clasped behind his back, looks smart in a blazer, shirt and tie, and grey trousers.

The image follows the recent release of a photograph showing the Queen out riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle – with both pictures taken by photographer Steve Parsons.

The duke is the longest serving consort in British history and also the oldest serving partner of a reigning monarch.

In a rare public message issued in April, Philip praised those tackling the coronavirus pandemic across the UK and keeping essential services running.

The comments, his first major statement since retiring in 2017, also recognised the “vital and urgent” medical and scientific work taking place.

Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born on the island of Corfu on June 10 1921 to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

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