Grieving Queen to be ‘kept company’ ahead of birthday by ‘rota’ of royals

The Daily Star’s FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inbox

A rota to keep the Queen company has been created by the royal family ahead of her birthday this week, following the death of Prince Philip.

With the exception of Prince Harry who is due to return to his wife Meghan Markle in California, royals will take it in turn to arrange dog walks with the monarch and her new pair of corgi puppies.

The Queen has insisted she is "coping" after the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral but her female family members will ensure she is not alone for her 95th birthday on Wednesday.

The Mirror has reported Princess Anne, daughters-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex, and the Duchess of Cambridge, have come together to form the plan.

Royal sources confirmed the Queen is set to have regular visitors at Windsor Castle, where she spent the majority of the last 13 months living with her late husband of 73 years.

But grandson Harry, 36, will miss her birthday as he flies back to California to be with his heavily pregnant wife Meghan Markle – believed to be due in early June – and their son Archie, one.

  • Teacher 'who had oral sex with student' jailed again for trying to contact her victim

Millions from around the world watched as Her Majesty was forced to sit alone in St George’s Chapel as she said her final goodbye to her husband after the covid pandemic ravaged long-held plans to the Duke’s funeral.

After her bubble partner had departed, and typically thinking of others before herself, the Queen chose to sit unaccompanied to comply with government restrictions.

Her only comfort, a treasured photo of her and Philip as newlyweds, that she had placed in her handbag alongside one of his handkerchiefs.

One source said: "The Queen will not be alone.

  • Harry's heartwarming comment to William after Philip's funeral picked up by lip reader

"She will have others who care about her deeply and want to be there to support her in her most pressing hour.

"In typical fashion, the Queen has insisted she is coping and despite the suggestion she had prepared herself for this day to come, everyone is well aware there is nothing like the experience when it comes."

Prince Charles is expected to visit his mother this week, taking the 90-minute drive from his country home Highgrove in Gloucester.

Princess Anne will also pop in from her home in Gloucestershire, Gatcombe Park while the Countess of Wessex, who has for years enjoyed a fabulous relationship with the Queen, has planned several visits in the coming days with her children Louise, 17 and James, 13.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who at the weekend returned to London with husband Prince William and their three children as they return to school this week after Easter, has already scheduled video calls with Her Majesty and her great-grandchildren to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday.

Her Majesty and the rest of the royals do not have any planned engagements until at least Thursday when the official two week royal mourning period will end.

Well-placed insiders have dismissed the idea that Windsor Castle will remain the Queen's permanent residence in the long term.

Instead, she intends to split her time between Windsor and London, just as she plans to continue with a diary of royal engagements in and outside the capital, when a multi-million-pound renovation project is completed at Buckingham Palace.

  • Queen
  • Royal Family
  • Prince Philip

Source: Read Full Article