Prince Philip is now out of the hospital a month after his treatments and heart surgery. Royal sources said that he left "in good spirits" as he was driven home to Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth stays.
Buckingham Palace released a statement to confirm that Philip has been discharged while press photographers took photos of the Duke of Edinburgh leaving King Edward VII Hospital in London. The Palace stated that the Queen's husband is thankful for the medical team who took care of him at both King Edward's and St. Bartholomew Hospital, where he had the heart procedure.
Philip was admitted to the hospital after feeling unwell for days in mid-February. Palace aides said that his hospitalization was not an emergency case and the Duke of Edinburgh still managed to walk in without assistance at the medical facility.
A week into his stay, his eldest son, Prince Charles, visited him and sparked worries that the Duke of Edinburgh's illness was grave. Prince William and Prince Edward, however, both said that Philip has been doing OK.
Two weeks into his hospital stay, Prince Philip was transferred to St. Bartholomew's. While Buckingham Palace previously stated that the royal needed treatments for an infection, they later confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh had a heart procedure.
Following this surgery, Philip returned to King Edward VII Hospital, where he would still stay and recover for two more weeks. He did not have any visitors anymore.
Philip, who is turning 100 years old in June, retired from public service in 2017. In December 2019, he stayed at the hospital for four days for treatments for a pre-existing condition.
When the COVID-19 pandemic broke, the royal staff members were task to follow protocols and keep Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh in a protective bubble. Philip was isolated at Windsor Castle with Her Majesty and they are remaining isolated despite receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in January.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has been preparing Philip's centenary celebration. However, sources said that the Queen's husband is reluctant to have a party in his honor.
According to palace aides, the Duke of Edinburgh doesn't want people to fuss over him. Insiders revealed that the royal family could celebrate his birthday privately, depending on the coronavirus restrictions.
The Duke of Edinburgh's birthday will also coincide with Queen Elizabeth's 95th birthday parade, Trooping the Colour. Though Her Majesty was born in April, she usually holds the major celebration in June so people could line up the streets in good weather and celebrate with her. The royal family watches the ceremonies from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
