Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 73, gave a new update on the health of her father-in-law, Prince Philip, during a visit to a vaccination center in Croydon on Wednesday. The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh has been receiving treatment for an infection at the hospital since February 16 and, according to the duchess, is “slightly improving”.
On Monday, Buckingham Palace revealed that Philip had been transferred from King Edward VII Hospital to St Bartholomew’s in the city of London, where he was receiving examinations and under observation for a pre-existing heart condition.
A statement from Buckingham Palace on the subject said: “The Duke of Edinburgh was transferred today from King Edward VII Hospital to St Bartolomeu Hospital, where doctors will continue to treat him for an infection, as well as conduct tests and observation of a pre-existing heart disease.
“Duke remains comfortable and is responding to treatment, but he must remain in the hospital at least until the end of the week.”
Although there is some debate about Camilla’s precise words, since her speech was drowned out by a facial mask, she is believed to have said the following in reference to Prince Philip’s health: “We heard today that he is improving slightly. it’s very good news. “
READ MORE: Prince Philip update: Camilla says Duke is “getting a little better”
The Duchess would also have said “keep our fingers crossed” and “it hurts at times” when referring to Prince Philip’s treatment.
Language expert Judi James analyzed Camilla’s upgrade to Express.co.uk and shared her findings.
The expert said: “With the previous and more formal report on Prince Philip focusing on very clinical facts, such as moving to St. Barts and the way he will ‘get tested’ and be ‘treated for an infection’ , Camilla has added a more personal view of her father-in-law’s condition in three brief responses. “
Judi said Camilla’s words were “less comforting” than the carefree update given by the duke’s youngest son, Prince Edward, during a TV interview last week.
The expert added: “Less detailed and less comforting than Eduardo’s laughing comments about the Duke’s’ frustration ‘at being confined to a hospital bed, Camilla begins with a slight guarantee that he is’ slightly improving’ although the words’ it hurts at times’ must sound desperately disturbing to any close relative who prefers to believe that their loved one is at least pain free. “
According to Judi, Camilla’s words “sound like an understatement” when considering the duke’s stoic nature.
She said: “With Philip’s notoriously stoic personality and no complaints, the words unfortunately sound like an understatement and the official description that he is ‘comfortable’ would naturally be more comforting.”
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How’s Prince Philip?
On Friday, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Philip had been transferred back to King Edward VII hospital after undergoing cardiac surgery in St. Bartholomew on Wednesday.
Buckingham Palace said: “After the Duke of Edinburgh’s successful procedure at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital on Wednesday, His Royal Highness was transferred to King Edward VII Hospital this morning.
“Duke must remain in the hospital to continue treatment for several days.”