Queen Elizabeth Cancels Birthday Tradition For First Time In 68 Years

photo- uk.reuters.com

A Buckingham Palace official said the Queen had decided it would not be appropriate at this time to be marking her 94th birthday with the traditional royal gun salute due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It is believed to be the first time in her 68-year reign that there will be no such salute, which usually takes place at Hyde Park and the Tower of London.

The Palace said the Queen's birthday on 21 April would not be marked in any special way, adding that any phone or video calls she has with family would be kept private.

The Trooping the Colour parade in June to mark the Queen's official birthday has already been cancelled.

The head of the Royal Family also said government buildings will be exempt from flying flags if it creates an issue.

photo- Getty Images

The Queen addressed the nation earlier in the month in a rare televised speech and called for unity because of the coronavirus pandemic. She declared that the UK would succeed in the battle against coronavirus, stressing the importance of maintaining the coronavirus lockdown.

photo- bbc.com/Buckingham Palace

The Queen cut short her official duties because of the coronavirus crisis and is staying at Windsor Castle with the Duke of Edinburgh.

source-bbc.com