Duke of Edinburgh moves hospitals following surgery

Prince Philip has been moved back to King Edward VII’s Hospital

Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 5th Mar 2021
Last updated 24th May 2022

The Duke of Edinburgh has left the NHS hospital where he had heart surgery and has been moved back to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital for continuing treatment.

Philip, 99, moved to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London on Wednesday to undergo a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Following the Duke of Edinburgh’s successful procedure at St Bartholomew’s Hospital on Wednesday, His Royal Highness has been transferred to King Edward VII’s Hospital this morning.

“The Duke is expected to remain in hospital for continuing treatment for a number of days.”

The duke, the nation’s longest-serving consort, has spent 17 nights hospital – his longest ever stay.

He was initially admitted to King Edward VII’s – the royal family’s favoured hospital – in central London on February 16 after feeling unwell at Windsor Castle, before being moved by ambulance to St Bartholomew’s on Monday.

Concern will be heightened for the duke because of his advanced age, with the Duchess of Cornwall saying this week that Philip was “slightly improving” and adding: “We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

The Queen and Prince Philip:

The Royal Wedding

The newly married Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. They married on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey, having announced their engagement in July 1946.

The Coronation

Waving from Buckingham Palace, this time as the newly coronated Queen and Consort of the Monarch. The Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953, following the death of her father, King George VI the previous year.

Silver Wedding Anniversary

Their Royal Highnesses celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary at Balmoral in Scotland in 1972.

The new millenium

Prince Philip kisses the Queen as they celebrate entering a new millennium. In the year 2000, they celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Duke of Edinburgh receives honour from Queen

In 2013, the Queen presented her husband, Prince Philip, with the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour. This was awarded alongside the Queen's birthday honours list in 2012, on the advice of the New Zealand Government.

Sharing a smile

The couple have been frequently caught sharing a smile or a laugh when carrying out visits and Royal duties. Their daughter-in-law, the Countess of Wessex once noted that the success of the pair's relationship was founded in laughter and support. She said: "they make each other laugh, which is half the battle, isn't it?"

Prince Philip's funeral

After 73 years of marriage, Prince Philip passed away aged 99. The Queen had to sit on her own for the funeral due to social distancing rules in place at the time. The Queen described the death of the Duke of Edinburgh as leaving "a huge void" in her life.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Hits Radio app.