Britain’s Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s 99-year-old husband, is recovering from a “successful” heart operation, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.
“The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart problem at St Bartholomew Hospital,” said the palace, using Philip’s formal title.
“His Royal Highness will remain in the hospital for treatment, rest and recovery for several days,” said the statement.
Philip – who should turn 100 in June – has been hospitalized since February 16, when he was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London as a “precautionary measure”.
He was initially treated for an infection, but on Monday he was transferred to St. Bartholomew, a hospital specializing in cardiac care.
It was unclear which heart problem was treated in this week’s surgery, but Philip has had problems with his ticker 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.
Since he was hospitalized, the duke has been visited publicly only by his son and heir, Prince Charles.
The 94-year-old queen stayed at Windsor Castle, where she and Philip were staying during the coronavirus pandemic, and last week continued to fulfill their official video obligations.
The couple received COVID-19 vaccines in January, and Philip’s disease is believed to be unrelated to the coronavirus.
The oldest royal consort in British history, Philip married then Princess Elizabeth in 1947. They have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
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