Prince Philip, 99, begins his second weekend in hospital in his longest ever stay as he continues being treated for infection
- The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, will remain at hospital for the whole of the weekend
- His time at King Edward VII Hospital in London is now his longest hospital stay
- The Duke had previously spent 11 days in hospital in 2013 for abdomen operation
- He has now spent 12 days in hospital with the Palace saying he is ‘comfortable’
Prince Philip has begun his second weekend in hospital in what is now his longest ever stay as he battles an infection.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell, and walked into the building unaided.
Buckingham Palace said last Tuesday that Philip was ‘comfortable’ and ‘responding’ to medical help.
His son Prince Edward also said this week Philip was ‘a lot better’ but ‘looking forward to getting out’ with the Royal Family were keeping their ‘fingers crossed’.
Today, the Duke passed his longest hospital stay as he continues to get treated for the infection for a 12th day.
He previously spent 11 days in hospital in 2013 after an operation on his abdomen.
Prince Philip, pictured in 2018 at Harry and Meghan’s wedding, begun his 12th day in hospital today
It is now his longest stay in hospital. Pictured is Philip in 2013 after leaving hospital after 11 days following an abdomen operation
Photos from outside the hospital this morning show police officers standing guard.
A royal source said yesterday it did not expect to make any updates on the Duke until at least next week.
At the time of Philip’s admission to hospital, the palace did not disclose the reason, but then said this Tuesday he was being treated for an infection.
Edward, who said he had spoken to his father on the phone, suggested the Duke, who is known for his ‘no fuss’ attitude, was a little frustrated at remaining in hospital.
The palace said on Tuesday: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh remains at King Edward VII’s Hospital where he is receiving medical attention for an infection. He is comfortable and responding to treatment but is not expected to leave hospital for several days.’
Edward was asked about his father by Sky News’ royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, while she was filming a separate interview with him his Bagshot Park home in Surrey.
He replied: ‘He’s a lot better, thank you very much indeed, and he’s looking forward to getting out, which is the most positive thing, so we keep our fingers crossed.’
Asked whether Philip, who turns 100 in June, was frustrated to be in hospital, Edward laughed and replied: ‘Just a bit.
‘I think that gets to all of us, and then you can only watch the clock so many times and the walls are only so interesting.
‘We’ve had some brilliant and lovely messages from all sorts of people and we really appreciate that and so does he, I’ve been passing them on. It’s fantastic, thank you.’
Philip was initially due to spend a few days under medical care for ‘observation and rest’, but last Friday it emerged he was likely to remain in hospital into this week.
Police officers stand outside King Edward VII’s Hospital, where Prince Philip is being treated
A royal source said yesterday it did not expect to make any updates on the Duke until at least next week
Philip’s 11th day in hospital came as his grandson Prince Harry was interviewed by James Corden on the Late Late Show in America.
During their chat, Harry revealed how Philip does know how to use Zoom – but simply slams shut his laptop to end calls instead of pressing the Leave button.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen have called the Sussexes a ‘few times’ and even seen Archie ‘running around’, Harry added.
Prince Charles made a 200-mile round trip to see Philip in hospital last weekend, which royal experts claimed may have been to reassure the Duke about Harry and the continuing turmoil caused by Megxit.
Charles’s surprise visit to Philip’s bedside on Saturday afternoon is likely to have touched on the ‘momentous’ events since he was admitted to hospital.