Prince Philip leaves hospital after heart surgery
Prince Philip has left hospital after 28 nights as a patient and is expected to see the Queen for the first time in a month.
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Prince Philip waved when he arrived home at Windsor Castle after a month in hospital.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was pictured as he was going into the castle gates where he was to be reunited with the Queen.
His wave was seen as a positive sign following his lengthy hospital stay.
Prince Philip left hospital following a successful heart operation and was expected to go straight to see the Queen.
Philip left King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London shortly before 9.30pm Australian Eastern time on Tuesday.
He had spent a full month — his longest ever stay — in hospital.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The Duke of Edinburgh has today been discharged from King Edward VII’s Hospital and has returned to Windsor Castle, following treatment for an infection and a successful procedure for a pre-existing condition.
“His Royal Highness wishes to thank all the medical staff who looked after him at both King Edward VII’s Hospital and St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and everyone who has sent their good wishes.”
Prince Philip was first admitted to King Edward VII’s on Tuesday, February 16.
His time in hospital included a visit to the specialist heart centre St Bartholomew’s Hospital in central London.
He underwent a procedure there before returning to King Edward VII’s.
Hospital staff had put up a screen to cover Prince Philip’s departure, but there was a glimpse of him getting into a waiting car at the back entrance of the hospital.
Previously, his exit was covered by staff holding umbrellas and a police van when he was transferred to St Bartholomew’s.
His release from hospital was a rare spot of good news for the royal family, who have endured a difficult week following Prince Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.
There had been calls to delay the interview out of respect for Prince Philip, who was still in hospital when it aired.
Prince Charles was the Duke’s only family visitor during his month-long stay, with the Queen understood to have stayed away to prevent a security nightmare for hospital staff.
A black BMW and black Range Rover were given a police escort out of King Edward VII’s.
It was understood that Prince Philip was to be taken to Windsor Castle, where the Queen has been isolating during the coronavirus pandemic.
There had been serious concerns for the Duke because of the length of his stay, particularly as he is only a few months shy of his 100th birthday on June 10.
Prince Charles, 72, left in tears last month following his visit to his father, however his grandson Prince William, 38, and his youngest son Prince Edward, 57, had played down the seriousness of his illness.
The Duke had a stent put in his heart in 2011, a minor procedure to open an artery.
Buckingham Palace confirmed that he had been treated for a “pre-existing condition” during this stay, but there was no official word on the nature of his latest procedure.
Buckingham Palace was yet to comment on his release on Tuesday night.
The Queen earlier in the day had sent her best wishes to Irish President Michael D. Higgins to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Wednesday.
Her Majesty, 94, has kept her schedule of engagements despite the chaos caused by Prince Harry’s interview and her husband’s illness.
“On the occasion of your National Day, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my congratulations, together with my best wishes to the people of Ireland,” the Queen said in a message to President Higgins.
“This year marks ten years since my visit to Ireland, which I remember fondly, and it marks a significant centenary across these islands.
“We share ties of family, friendship and affection – the foundation of our partnership that remains as important today as ten years ago.”
The Queen was the first British monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland in 100 years, when she travelled there with Prince Philip in 2011.
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Originally published as Prince Philip leaves hospital after heart surgery
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