Buckingham Palace has released a somewhat concerning update regarding the health of
the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who is the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. The
99-year-old royal was admitted to a private hospital — the King Edward VII Hospital
in London — on February 16th, 2021, after "feeling unwell for a few days," according
to BBC, but has since been moved to another location.
The palace confirmed that the Duke's original hospital stay was only a precautionary measure,
though it's not thought his health issues are related to the coronavirus, after the
BBC confirmed both he and the Queen received their vaccinations in January 2021.
Prince Philip was expected to remain there just for a few days so that he could be observed
by medical professionals and get some rest, though the March 1st, 2021 update from the
palace has caused some concern for the senior royal after it was confirmed he is not expected
to head home for at least a few more days.
It was confirmed by Buckingham Palace that Prince Philip was transferred to another London
hospital on the morning of March 1st, after almost two weeks at King Edward VII Hospital.
The Duke was taken to Saint Bartholomew's Hospital by ambulance, and is set to undergo
tests for a pre-existing heart condition, while also being treated for an infection.
The palace's statement added that Prince Harry and Prince William's grandfather — who is
set to celebrate his 100th birthday in June 2021 — quote, "remains comfortable and is
responding to treatment but is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end
of the week."
The prince was not photographed while he transferred hospitals, as he was shielded from awaiting
paparazzi by large umbrellas. It's thought that the palace only confirmed he had moved
after his arrival at Saint Bartholomew's.
Although Buckingham Palace didn't confirm the exact nature of Prince Philip's pre-existing
condition, in 2011 he suffered from chest pains and was treated for a blocked coronary
artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire. According to the BBC, Buckingham Palace described
it as a, quote, "minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting" and confirmed that the
then 90-year-old royal had a "good night" at the hospital.
The procedure saw doctors insert a balloon into the artery, which they then blew up in
order to dissipate the blockage. The balloon contained a metal sleeve known as a stent,
which remained inside the Duke's artery after the balloon was removed.
Prince Philip has had a number of hospital stays during his almost 100 years. As reported
by the Telegraph, he was also admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital on December 20th,
2019, again to treat a "pre-existing condition." He stayed for four nights, with the palace
describing it as a "precautionary measure."
Throughout Prince Philip's medical ailments, the royal family has approached his recovery
with the quintessential British stiff upper lip. Prince Philip's youngest son, Prince
Edward, told Sky News that Prince Philip was improving and looking ahead to leaving the
hospital once and for all. Edward said,
"We've had some brilliant and lovely messages from all sorts of people. We really appreciate
that and so does he. I've been passing them on."
"He's a lot better, thank you very much indeed."
However, a few high-profile members of the royal family have remained mum about their
public well-wishes for the prince, as of the making of this video. While Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle began their first press tour since stepping away from their royal duties,
a source told Express UK that Prince Philip would have not wanted the couple to do an
interview with Oprah Winfrey. The outlet reported,
"[The source] noted that the timing of the broadcast was 'astonishing' considering the
Duke of Edinburgh's current condition."
Prince William, meanwhile, reportedly told a royal family photographer on February 22nd
that Prince Philip was, quote, "doing okay" and doctors were "keeping an eye" on the eldest
royal, according to People magazine.
Queen Elizabeth II has yet to publicly address her husband's health and has yet to visit
her husband. According to the Daily Mail, the Queen's behavior in these circumstances
is not unusual. It may be odd, however, that the royal family is staying tight-lipped about
the situation, but only time will tell when it comes to Prince Philip's road to recovery.
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