Princess Anne will mark the end of a decade as she celebrates her 70th birthday on August 15. While the no-nonsense royal is not one for fanfare she will have to forgo one traditional birthday honour due to the coronavirus crisis.
Certain royal birthdays are marked by the bells being rung at Westminster Abbey.
These include Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s birthdays, as well as their children’s and those royals in the immediate line of succession.
However, in recent months the bells have stayed silent on the Queen, Prince Philip, 99, Prince William, 38 Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 38, and their three children’s birthdays.
Princess Anne will also miss out on the honour this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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However, Philip has made some recent exceptions and returned to public duty during the coronavirus pandemic.
VJ has a special place in Prince Philip’s heart because he was serving in the British Navy when victory over Japan was announced in 1945.
Asked about Prince Philip’s upcoming role in VJ Day commemorations, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “It will have a special cachet as he was present onboard HMS Whelp in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese formally surrendered in a ceremony onboard the USS Missouri.
“No other nation has such links.”
He added: “Although he retired at the age of 97 in 2017, the Duke, now 99, makes occasional public appearances.
“He was in his element during the War, being mentioned in despatches for his service during the Battle of Cape Matapan and the forthcoming commemoration will be a particularly poignant moment for him.”
