Prince Philip of Great Britain, husband of 99 years of Queen Elizabeth II, underwent a procedure for pre-existing heart disease on Wednesday. He goes stay hospitalized while he recovers, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday.
“His Royal Highness will remain in the hospital for treatment, rest and recovery for several days,” said the palace. The surgery was performed at St Bartholomew Hospital.
THE Duchess of Cornwall, wife of Philip’s son Prince Charles, said the Duke of Edinburgh was “slightly improving”.
“We are going to cross our fingers,” Camilla told the British news agency Press Association.
Philip was first admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London in mid-February, before being transferred to St Bartholomew earlier this week. The Real, which celebrates 100 years in June, has already spent 16 days in the hospital, marking its longest stay.
Last week, his youngest son, Prince Edward, said his father was “much better”. Prince William also said earlier that his grandfather was “fine” and that the hospital was “keeping an eye on him”.
Prince Philip has been treated for heart problems in the past. In 2011, he was taken to a hospital by helicopter after experiencing chest pain in Sandringham. At the time, he was treated by a blocked coronary artery, submitted to a minimally invasive coronary stent implantation procedure.
The royal family faced greater scrutiny in recent weeks, ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, broadcast on CBS Sunday. On a new teaser clip, Markle said that she could not be expected to remain silent if the palace was “perpetuating falsehoods” against her.
Last month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they will not return as working members of the royal family, formally departing from their royal duties.