Prince Philip 'comfortable and responding to treatment' for infection in hospital
The Duke of Edinburgh is responding to medical treatment for an infection but is not expected to be discharged from hospital for several days, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Prince Philip, 99, was admitted to the private King Edward VII's Hospital in Marylebone, central London, last Tuesday for a few days’ "rest and observation" after feeling unwell.
While it was not an emergency admission and he walked in unaided, his stay was extended throughout the weekend.
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Buckingham Palace said: "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."
Meanwhile, the Earl of Wessex has revealed that the Royal Family are keeping their "fingers crossed" but that his father is "a lot better" after seven nights in hospital.
Prince Edward, the Duke's youngest son, told Sky News he had talked to his father on the phone.
Asked how he was doing, he said: "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."
The Prince of Wales made a 200-mile round trip to visit his father on Saturday, spending half an hour at his bedside. He is understood to have updated the Duke on latest developments concerning the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Observers described him as looking sombre as he climbed into his car for the two-hour return journey to Highgrove, Gloucestershire.
On Monday, the Duke of Cambridge said his grandfather was "OK", adding: "They’re keeping an eye on him."
Philip is now into his eighth day at the private hospital. The 99-year-old was initially due to spend a few days under medical care for "observation and rest" for an undisclosed reason, which is not coronavirus-related.
But on Friday sources said the duke, who turns 100 in June, was likely to remain in hospital into this week. Members of the royal family have continued with their duties since he was taken to hospital.
The morning after Philip was admitted, Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, who have received their Covid jabs, visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham to learn about vaccination trials.
Last Thursday, the Queen carried out her first official in-person event of the year, making one of her most senior aides a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Philip has been spending the latest lockdown with the Queen at Windsor, and in January they both received Covid vaccinations.
The duke last had a spell in hospital in December 2019, when he was treated for a "pre-existing condition" and discharged on Christmas Eve after four nights.
