Queen Elizabeth Celebrates 96th Birthday, Second Year Without Her Husband Prince Philip

Gun salutes were let out Thursday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 96th birthday, although the monarch herself was expected to mark the occasion with little fanfare.

Even though it has been a troubled year for Britain’s royal family, with concerns over the queen’s health and questions over the future of the monarchy.

Rounds were fired from the Tower of London and Hyde Park in the British capital, where a military band also played. This is the second birthday without her husband, Prince Philip. Queen Elizabeth has spent over 6decades on the throne.