Queen Elizabeth cancels her birthday gun salute for the first time in 68 years

The Queen has cancelled her birthday tradition of gun salutes for the first time in 68 years amid the coronavirus lockdown. The monarch will celebrate her 94th birthday on Tuesday – an event normally marked with pomp and ceremony. But a Palace source said: “Her Majesty was keen that no special measures were put in place to allow gun salutes as she did not feel it appropriate in the current circumstances.” They added that all of the changes are “in line with Her Majesty’s wishes.” The Department for Culture Media and Sport has also written to government authorities regarding flag flying protocol amid the coronavirus guidelines – with the Union flag usually flown to mark Her Majesty’s birthday. They said: “In the current circumstances we are not expecting everyone to be able to follow this advice and you should continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines as set out by the Government.” The Queen is currently at Windsor Castle self-isolating with husband Prince Philip, 98 and they will remain there for the foreseeable. Her birthday is expected to be marked instead with a social media post. However it was claimed any calls or video calls with her family will be in private.