Prince Philip to spend second weekend in hospital after infection in longest-ever stay

Prince Philip, 99, is facing his longest-ever hospital stay after 10 nights at a London clinic recovering from an infection, according to royal sources.

Prince Philip, 99, will spend his second weekend in hospital as he recovers from an infection, according to royal sources.

It will be the Duke of Edinburgh’s longest-ever stay in hospital after his tenth night at the King Edward VII clinic in London, The Sun reports.

The Queen’s husband was admitted as a “precautionary measure” on Tuesday last week after feeling “unwell”.

Buckingham Palace said he walked in unaided and received medical attention for an infection.

In the last update on Tuesday, the Palace said: “He is comfortable and responding to treatment but is not expected to leave hospital for several days.”

Sources said they did not expect another update until after the weekend.

It is already Philip’s longest stay in hospital since June 2013, when he had an exploratory operation on his abdomen. Tomorrow it will be his longest ever stay as an inpatient.

His 11th day in hospital came as grandson Prince Harry insisted he had “never walked away” from royal life in an interview with US talk show host James Corden in Los Angeles.

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Royal sources say Prince Philip will spend a second weekend in hospital. Picture: Ben Stansall / AFP

‘FINGERS CROSSED’

Earlier this week Prince Edward said he had spoken to his father on the phone and he was feeling “a lot better”.

He told Sky News UK: “As far as I’m aware, well I did speak to them the other day, so 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 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.”

The Earl of Wessex added: “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.”

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Police stand guard at King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London, where the 99-year-old has spent a tenth night after being admitted on February 16. Picture: Tolga Akmen / AFP

It came after Prince William said his grandfather was doing “OK”.

The palace has previously said Prince Philip was in “good spirits” after being taken to hospital.

Sources have previously said that Philip’s doctor is “acting with an abundance of caution”.

Last weekend, Prince Charles visited his father and looked sombre as he left.

It is understood Charles wanted to visit his father due to his extended stay.

It is thought Charles had not seen his father since before Christmas because of the nationwide coronavirus restrictions.

Philip and the Queen stayed at Windsor Castle instead of hosting the usual family Christmas at Sandringham.

ROYAL HEALTH

The duke, who will turn 100 on June 10, was vaccinated against coronavirus last month and his infection is not COVID-related.

In December 2019, Prince Philip was taken to the same hospital by helicopter for treatment for a “pre-existing condition”.

The royal was also involved in a car crash in January 2019 after being in collision with another vehicle near the Sandringham estate.

In April 2018 he had a hip replacement operation but had recovered well for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding a month later.

The Duke and the Queen were vaccinated against COVID-19 at Windsor Castle last month. Picture: Alastair Grant / Pool / AFP

Philip has previously been described as the Queen’s “constant strength” and has been known as the “protector” of the royal family.

He has been by the Queen’s side for seven decades of marriage, becoming one of the hardest working royals.

From 1952 he attended 22,219 solo engagements and 637 overseas tours in a career marked by his famous gaffes.

He then retired from his public duties at the age of 96 in 2017 after 65 years of public life.

But despite retiring, the prince has remained active — sending a message to frontline workers at the outbreak of COVID thanking them for their work.

He also made a rare public appearance last year to pass on his role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles to Camilla Parker Bowles.

Prince Harry reportedly called the Queen about Prince Philip’s health last week from his home in the US.

Harry’s reported call to the UK from his new home in the US came after he and Meghan Markle officially quit the royal family and announced they were expecting a second child.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and is published here with permission.