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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Queen faces bittersweet day just a week after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee

In the last week, there has been spectacular scenes up and down the country as people celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Although she was unable to attend every event, her family came together to represent her and were firmly at her side during her appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

However, one person not there to share in Her Majesty's joy at reaching 70 years on the throne was her late husband Prince Philip, who died aged 99 in April 2021.

And it's likely the monarch's thoughts will be with her husband of 73 years today as she faces a bittersweet day - that's because it would have been Philip's 101st birthday today.

The Queen will be facing a difficult day today (PA)

Philip was born on June 10, 1921, in Corfu, Greece, but his family was exiled from the country when he was just 18 months old.

He married the Queen in November 1947 and together they had four children - Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

After a long and eventful life he passed away peacefully last April, just a few months short of his 100th birthday, at Windsor Castle with his loving wife at his side.

The Queen and Prince Philip on their wedding anniversary in 2007 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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But despite not there to join in with last weekend's celebrations, it seems the Queen was eager to give a nod to her husband during her appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Sunday.

During the appearance, Her Majesty was joined on the balcony by Charles and Camilla as well as Prince William, wife Kate and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

For the occasion she wore a beautiful Stewart Parvin coat dress and hat in a vibrant green colour that saw her stand out.

The Queen and Prince Charles on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Sunday (Getty Images)

However, if you look close enough, you will see that the hat also had a poignant adornment on the front - a black mourning pin.

These pins are traditionally worn by members of the royal family following a death.

Meanwhile, Charles also paid tribute to his "much-missed Papa" in a speech at the Platinum Party at the Palace event in front of Buckingham Palace.

He made the sweet remark in front of a crowd of 22,000 as he paid tribute to the Queen during the star-studded Jubilee concert.

While paying tribute to his 'mummy', he said: "On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service

"Your family now spans four generations. You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother.

"Your “strength and stay” is much missed this evening but I am sure he is here in spirit…

"My Papa would have enjoyed the show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people."

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