The queen traveled to Sandringham, her mansion in Norfolk, East of England, for a personal holiday, Buckingham Palace told CNN.
A portrait published on the occasion shows the monarch standing between two fallen ponies named Bibek Nightingale and Bibek Katie. The photo was taken on the grounds of Windsor Castle in March, according to the royal family’s Twitter account.
William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, posted a message on the Queen’s birthday on social media.
“I wish Her Majesty the Queen a very happy 96th birthday today!” Reads the tweet. “Inspiration for so many people in the UK, the British community and the world is especially special to celebrate this #Platinum Jubilee Year.”
Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, also sent a message on the Queen’s birthday.
“Wishing Her Majesty the Queen a special special 96th birthday today, when we celebrate her platinum anniversary,” the couple wrote on Twitter.
The Platinum Jubilee marks seven decades since the Queen ascended the throne in 1952, making her both the longest-serving British monarch and the longest-serving female head of state in history.
To celebrate the unprecedented anniversary, a number of events will be held in the UK this year, culminating in a four-day holiday weekend at the National Bank from Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5, known as Jubilee Weekend.
Toy maker Mattel also announced a Barbie-like Barbie doll to celebrate the anniversary.
Queen Elizabeth II Barbie wears an ivory dress, a blue ribbon and a tiara. It will go on sale on Thursday.
The Queen recently revealed that she was “very tired and exhausted” after a recent attack by Covid-19. The monarch tested positive for the virus in February.
However, her grandson Harry, Duke of Sussex, said the queen was “in great shape” when he saw her in mid-April.
“It was so nice to see her,” he said in an interview with NBC’s Today program, which aired Wednesday.
Before his grandmother turned 96, Harry commented that “after a certain age, you get bored of birthdays.”
Speaking about his relationship with the queen, Harry described it as “really special”, adding: “We are talking about things she can’t talk about with anyone else.”
Sign up for CNN’s Royal News, a weekly newsletter that brings you inside information about the royal family, what they do in public, and what’s going on behind the palace walls.
CNN’s Max Foster contributed to this report.
Add Comment