LONDON (AP) – Prince Philip underwent a successful heart procedure at a London hospital and is expected to remain for several days of “rest and recovery,” Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
The palace said Queen Elizabeth II’s 99-year-old husband “underwent a successful procedure for pre-existing heart disease at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital”.
“His royal highness will remain in the hospital for treatment, rest and recovery for several days,” the palace said in a statement.
Philip, 99, has been hospitalized since he was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on February 16, where he was treated for an infection. On Monday, he was transferred to a hospital specializing in cardiac care, St. Bartholomew’s.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said Wednesday that Philip’s condition was “slightly improving”.
“We will keep our fingers crossed,” said Camilla, who is married to Prince Charles, the eldest son of Philip and the queen.
Philip’s disease is not believed to be related to the coronavirus. Philip and the monarch received the COVID-19 vaccine in January and chose to publicize the matter to encourage others to also get the vaccine.
Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, retired in 2017 and rarely appears in public. Prior to his hospitalization, Philip had isolated himself at Windsor Castle, west of London, with the queen.
Although he enjoyed good health until old age, Philip has had heart problems in the past. In 2011, he was rushed to a hospital by helicopter after suffering chest pain and was treated for a blocked coronary artery.
The oldest royal consort in British history, Philip married then Princess Elizabeth in 1947. He and the queen have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Her illness comes as the royal family prepares for the broadcast of an interview conducted by Oprah Winfrey with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, left royal duties last year and moved to California, citing what they said were the British media’s unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes.
Relations between the couple and the palace seem to have become more and more strained. On Wednesday, the palace said it was starting an investigation of human resources after a newspaper reported that a former aide accused Meghan of intimidating employees in 2018.
In a clip of the pre-recorded interview with Winfrey, released by CBS, Winfrey asks Meghan how she feels about the palace “to hear you speak your truth today?”
“I don’t know how they could expect that, after all this time, we would still be silent if there was an active role that the company is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,” said the Duchess.
“A Firma” is a nickname given to the royal family, sometimes used with affection, sometimes with a touch of criticism.