The Queen has issued a personal message on her birthday, thanking people for their “support and kindness” to her family “in a period of great sadness” following the death of Prince Philip, for the tributes to him and birthday wishes she’s received. “We have been deeply touched”

Queen Elizabeth was born on 21 April 1926 at 17 Bruton Street in London, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York. This year The Queen remains at Windsor Castle during a period of Royal Mourning following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh.

On Wednesday, the queen released a personal message to the public, thanking them for their support during a difficult time.

“While as a family we are in a period of great sadness, it has been a comfort to us all to see and to hear the tributes paid to my husband, from those within the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world,” she said in her statement. “My family and I would like to thank you all for the support and kindness shown to us in recent days. We have been deeply touched, and continue to be reminded that Philip had such an extraordinary impact on countless people throughout his life.”