Prince Philip "Doesn't Want a Fuss" Made for His 100th Birthday in 2021
Prince Philip will reach an incredible milestone when he turns 100 in 2021, but according to royal insiders, the duke "doesn't want a fuss" when he becomes a centenarian in June.
The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh has been described as "reluctant celebrant" by a Buckingham Palace aide, who told The Telegraph, "You can't do something if someone doesn't want something doing. The one person you can guarantee will not want anything to do with it, is the duke. He's retired, he's stepped back, he doesn’t want the fuss. You can't blame him."
Planning for Prince Philip's big day on June 10 will reportedly "begin in earnest in the New Year", with the royal insider adding, "It is something that will have to be raised in the New Year. But we might get short shrift."
One tradition that Philip won't be able to escape is the congratulatory telegram from Her Majesty, which he will receive just like any other British citizen turning 100.
Depending on coronavirus restrictions, the royal family are expected to gather for a private celebration in some form, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly hoping to fly over from their home in California to attend. The date coincides with Prince Harry's Invictus Games, which are due to begin in The Hague on May 29, 2021.
While the global pandemic leaves future events up in the air, the momentous occasion is expected be marked in some way, even if plans have to be stripped back.
Earlier this year, the queen's 94th birthday was celebrated with a socially-distanced ceremony at Windsor Castle instead of the annual Trooping of Colour parade in London. The ceremony featured a small number of Welsh Guardsmen and military musicians, with social distancing rules implemented for those marching.
Prince Philip will become the first male member of the royal family to turn 100 in 2021, and the first royal consort to do so.
One event rumoured to be in the works to mark the duke's milestone is a photography exhibition to be curated by the Royal Collection Trust during its annual summer opening of Buckingham Palace. This has yet to be officially confirmed by the palace.
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