Duke of Edinburgh’s Health Update: Expected Hospital Stay Continues

Buckingham Palace has provided an update on the health of the Duke of Edinburgh, who has now spent a seventh night in the hospital.

While Prince Philip, 99, is responding well to medical treatment for an infection, he is not expected to be discharged for several days, according to an announcement from Buckingham Palace.

The Duke was admitted to the private King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, central London, last Tuesday as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell.

Although it was not an emergency admission and he walked into the hospital unaided, his stay has been extended throughout the weekend.

In a brief statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh remains at King Edward VII Hospital, where he is receiving medical attention for an infection.

While he is comfortable and responding positively to treatment, it is anticipated that he will remain in the hospital for several more days.

It has been clarified that his current treatment is not related to the coronavirus.

Both Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II have already received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

During a visit to a vaccination center in Norfolk on Monday, Prince William, the Duke's grandson, provided a short update on his health, stating that he was doing okay.

In an interview with Sky News, Prince Edward, the Queen and Prince Philip's youngest son, expressed that his father was feeling much better and looking forward to leaving the hospital.

He humorously acknowledged that being confined within hospital walls can become tedious for anyone, saying, “You can only watch the clock so many times, and the walls are only so interesting.”

He also expressed gratitude for the numerous messages of support received from various individuals.

Prince Charles, the Duke's oldest son, visited him in the hospital over the weekend, spending about 30 minutes by his side.

It has been reported that Charles wanted to visit his father due to the prolonged hospital stay.

Known for his no-fuss attitude, Prince Philip may prove to be a challenging patient, as royal author Penny Junor jokingly suggested during an interview with BBC Breakfast.

She stated, “This is a man who doesn't want any fuss made of his 100th birthday, so the fact that he's in the hospital and attracting attention will really irritate him.”

Regarding Charles' visit, Junor speculated that it may have been prompted by significant family events, possibly involving discussions about Prince Harry, although she did not have specific details.

This is not the first time the Duke of Edinburgh has been hospitalized.

In December 2019, he spent four nights in the hospital but was discharged in time for Christmas.

Additionally, in April 2018, he underwent a planned hip operation, which required a nine-day hospital stay.

In June 2013, he spent 11 days in the hospital following an exploratory operation on his abdomen.