A prominent British journalist has praised Queen Elizabeth II for being the pillar of the nation. Meanwhile, the Queen had a modest birthday celebration amid the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Mike Graham, a British journalist spoke to talkRADIO about how the Queen has correctly assessed the mood of the country and followed it up by downsizing her birthday celebrations this year. Graham called the monarch “the backbone of Britain.”

 

He reminded the listeners that “she has turned 94-years-old.” After she rightfully judged the mood of her countrymen, she did not wish them to celebrate her 94th birthday this year. Moreover, she did not even want the usual 21-gun-salute this year, unlike the other years as a part of her birthday celebration.

 

The Queen also did not want the banners to be flown. The reporter further added that it seems that she is not even in favor of people coming out on the streets and clapping for her. 

 

Graham feels that the Queen has done the right thing as the mood of the country at this point would be that even though they all love and respect her, they would not be celebrating her birthday amid the current health crisis. 

 

The journalist further added that although they would not play the national anthem on the show, he feels that “The Queen is definitely the backbone of this nation.” 

 

Incidentally, Queen Elizabeth II is only five years short of becoming the all-time longest-reigning monarch. The 94-year-old Queen celebrated her 65-year-old reign (Sapphire Jubilee) on the British throne in 2017, Daily Express reports. 

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n other related news, the Twitter account of the Royal Family has uploaded rare behind-the-scenes footage of her as a child and thus paid a tribute to her on her birthday this year. The clip showed the Queen as a toddler, playing with her sister Princess Margaret, gardening with her mom, dancing on a yacht, and learning to ride.

 

There was also a message with the footage that thanked the country for their innumerable birthday messages and for wishing a happy birthday to the Queen. Meanwhile, because of the coronavirus pandemic, many of her family members opted for video conferencing to wish her. They also sent her birthday wishes via social media.

 

In line with the monarch’s wishes, the traditional gun salutes that happen every year from Hyde Park and the Tower of London were not conducted. These salutes were missing for the first time in the Queen’s reign.

 

As far as Queen Elizabeth II is concerned, she celebrated the special day by staying in isolation at the Windsor Castle with her husband Prince Philip in a small lockdown affair, The Guardian reports.