Prince Philip is “slightly improving” and the royal family is keeping its fingers crossed for the hospitalized duke's recovery, his daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said Wednesday.
Philip, 99, has been hospitalized since being admitted Feb. 16 to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London, where he was treated for an infection. On Monday, he was transferred to a specialized cardiac care hospital, St. Bartholomew’s, to undergo further treatment alongside testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition.
Camilla said during a visit to a coronavirus vaccination center in London that Philip is “slightly improving,” but he “hurts at moments.”
Police officers stand outside the main entrance of St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, where Britain's Prince Philip is being treated, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Buckingham Palace said Philip, the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was transferred from King Edward VII's Hospital to St Bartholomew's Hospital on Monday to undergo testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition as he continues treatment for an unspecified infection. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
“We keep our fingers crossed,” said the duchess, who is married to Prince Charles, eldest son of Philip and Queen Elizabeth II. The comments were reported by broadcasters covering the visit.
Buckingham Palace said Monday that Philip was “comfortable and is responding to treatment but is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week.’”
The two-week stay is already Philip’s longest-ever stint in hospital.
Police officers walk in the main entrance of St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, where Britain's Prince Philip is being treated, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Buckingham Palace said Philip, the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was transferred from King Edward VII's Hospital to St Bartholomew's Hospital on Monday to undergo testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition as he continues treatment for an unspecified infection. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)
Philip, who retired from royal duties in 2017, rarely appears in public. During England’s current coronavirus lockdown, Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, has been staying at Windsor Castle, west of London, with the queen.
Philip married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and is the longest-serving royal consort in British history. He and the queen have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Police stand guard outside St Bartholomew's Hospital where Britain's Prince Philip is being treated in London, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Buckingham Palace says Prince Philip the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has been transferred from King Edward VII's Hospital to St Bartholomew's Hospital to undergo testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition as he continues treatment for an unspecified infection. (AP PhotoAlastair Grant)
Police horses walk through an archway entrance to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, where Britain's Prince Philip is being treated, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Buckingham Palace said Philip, the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was transferred from King Edward VII's Hospital to St Bartholomew's Hospital yesterday to undergo testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition as he continues treatment for an unspecified infection. (AP PhotoMatt Dunham)