Queen Elizabeth II clap: Will UK clap for Queen's birthday? Ben Fogle issues plea
THE QUEEN will mark her birthday without a single gun salute this year but could Britain clap for the Queen instead?
Queen’s birthday: A look back as Her Majesty as a child
Queen Elizabeth II, 94, usually spends her birthday in private but this year her big day will be quieter than most. While the Queen’s official birthday parade is normally held in June, several gun salutes publicly mark her actual birthday on April 21.
However, this year the coronavirus crisis means this royal custom will not go ahead and the Queen’s milestone will not be marked in the traditional manner
In the absence of an outward display to mark the Queen’s birthday TV presented Ben Fogle came up with an idea.
Britons have been taking to their doorsteps every Thursday amid lockdown to clap and show their support for NHS workers during the health crisis.
Mr Fogle suggested Britons do a similar thing to mark the Queen’s birthday and sing Happy Birthday to her from their doorsteps on Tuesday evening.
READ MORE: Queen's birthday chance to reflect after 'extremely difficult year'
He wrote on Twitter: "At 9am 21st April, we are calling on the whole country to sing Happy Birthday from our windows and doorsteps.”
While Mr Fogle’s plea was slammed by some on social media others have got behind the idea of paying tribute to the Queen.
One Twitter user wrote: “Whilst the Queen has cancelled her birthday gun salutes on Tuesday in view of the current COVID crisis, we should not let this get in the way of celebrating the day in her honour.
“May I propose that we all go outside at 8pm on Tuesday and clap 94 times.”
Another put: “Clap for the Queen on Tuesday. She's 94 and been a rock while others have fallen over.
“Wish her a happy birthday Clap for the Queen.”
One Twitter user back Ben Fogle’s idea and said it would help lift Britons’ mood.
They wrote: “Ben Fogle’s idea of a Clap and Singalong to the Queen on the morning of her Birthday is a really great idea as it will lift the mood of the nation.”
DON'T MISS
Serena Williams insists she has ‘never heard’ of Meghan Markle [INSIGHT]
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s texts to Thomas Markle revealed [INSIGHT]
Scone recipe: How to make the Queen's scones, from former royal chef [INSIGHT]
One royal expert has said having Prince Philip by her side will give the Queen great comfort this birthday.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “This birthday marks another milestone in the life of our longest-reigning monarch.
“It will be without the traditional gun salutes, pealing bells and flag flying.
“Trooping the Colour, which marks the Queen’s official birthday, has been cancelled.
“With a select staff including her senior dresser and confidante Angela Kelly, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are in virtual self-isolation at Windsor.
“The presence of the Duke will undoubtedly be of considerable comfort to the Queen during this unprecedented period of emergency.
“This will undoubtedly concern her greatly as will the situation in other Commonwealth countries.
“After what has been a particularly difficult period for the monarchy it has been clear that it is a uniquely unifying force in times of trouble.”
He added: “This was evident during the divisions over Brexit when the monarchy was above politics and is the case now.
“Her broadcast to the nation about the COVID-19 emergency was heard by 24million people and was skilfully crafted.
“We are indeed lucky to have so experienced a monarch as our head of state during this testing time.
“Let us, whilst we are obviously concerned for the health of the Queen and her consort owing to their age, look forward on her birthday to the celebrations of her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.”