Royal Family Is Planning A Celebration For Queen Elizabeth, Who's 'Saddened' & Stressed Ahead Of 95th Birthday, Claims Insider
Birthday bummer! Queen Elizabeth II is set to turn 95 on April 21, but an insider told OK! that the "stress" she's under has put a damper on any reveling.
"It's not the celebration she envisioned. She's saddened that Trooping the Colour has been postponed for the second year in a row, but safety is her primary concern," the insider noted of the annual parade that publicly marks the occasion.
"These are extremely challenging times for the queen," added the insider.
"Like the rest of the royal family, she's still trying to process why [Prince] Harry and Meghan [Markle] chose to attack the institution in such a public and embarrassing fashion," the insider stated, referring to their shocking tell-all with Oprah Winfrey.
After the pair's interview, Her Majesty released a statement, saying "the issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning," adding that each claim made will be "taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."
Royal commentator Camilla Tominey noted that the Queen is the only "person that can diffuse the situation."
But the matriarch is also still concerned over husband Prince Philip, 99, who underwent heart surgery earlier this year during a lengthy hospital stay. "Philip's very fragile at the moment," the insider said. "So she's trying not to worry him about anything — including turmoil involving the Sussexes."
"She's reeling from so much stress at one time," the insider shared. "It's a shame this has all happened so close to her special day."
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To cheer her up, the insider claimed the royal family is planning a private but lively gathering.
"They want to surprise her with baked treats, silly cards and handmade crafts from their children, which will surely put a smile on the Queen's face," spilled the insider. "It's fair to say that [Prince] William, [Duchess] Kate and the kids are the biggest joy in her life at the moment. She just adores them and will surely be touched by all of their efforts."