Just over two months after marking 70 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth is marking another milestone, celebrating her 96th birthday.
The queen, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, will celebrate her birthday privately Thursday at Sandringham, her country retreat in Norfolk, England.
To mark the queen's birthday, a new photo was released showing Her Majesty posing alongside two of her ponies, Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale, according to Buckingham Palace.
The photo, taken in March on the grounds of Windsor Castle, was released by the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which has been attended by Queen Elizabeth nearly every year since its inception in 1943.
At age 96, Queen Elizabeth continues her reign as Britain's oldest monarch, a record she has held for over a decade.
The queen received birthday wishes on social media from royal family members, including her grandson, Prince William, and his wife, Duchess Kate, who called the queen, "an inspiration to so many."
Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very happy 96th birthday today!
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) April 21, 2022
An inspiration to so many across the UK, the Commonwealth and the world, it’s particularly special to be celebrating in this #PlatinumJubilee year. pic.twitter.com/iWfyorcd8I
Happy Birthday Your Majesty!
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2022
Today as The Queen turns 96, we’re sharing this photograph of the young Princess Elizabeth aged 2.
Then, in 1928, it was never expected she would be Queen, and this year Her Majesty is celebrating her #PlatinumJubilee - a first in British history. pic.twitter.com/DnwsMU81I3
Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a particularly special 96th birthday today, as we celebrate her Platinum Jubilee year. 🎈 pic.twitter.com/CJSMTjOMBp
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) April 21, 2022
This year marks the queen's second birthday since her husband, Prince Philip, died April 9, 2021, at the age of 99.
MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan meet with Queen Elizabeth for 1st time since leaving royal rolesThe queen's last in-person public appearance was in March, when she joined members of the royal family in attending a Thanksgiving service for Philip at London's Westminster Abbey.
Queen Elizabeth, known for keeping a rigorous schedule well into her 90s, has slowed her schedule of engagements over the past two years, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic and to her health.
She was hospitalized overnight last October for what Buckingham Palace described at the time as "preliminary investigations," and the next month sprained her back.
In February, the queen tested positive for COVID-19 but had only "mild cold-like symptoms" as a result of the virus, according to the palace.
MORE: Queen Elizabeth marks 70 years on the throne: 7 memorable momentsQueen Elizabeth will be back in the spotlight later this year for the celebration of her Platinum Jubilee.
A weekend of festivities celebrating the queen's reign is scheduled to take place in June, around the same time her birthday is celebrated publicly each year.
Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI.
