British Prince Philip, the 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II, left a London hospital early Tuesday after heart surgery and 28 days of treatment – his longest stay ever.
Philip – who will turn 100 in June – was photographed looking pale and emaciated when he was expelled from King Edward VII’s private clinic at 10:30 am.
Hospital staff placed a white folding screen next to his BMW to hide him from view, and dozens of police officers blocked the route, according to The Times of London.
Philip was first taken to hospital in central London on February 16 as a “precautionary measure” and was treated for an infection.
He was later transferred to a specialized heart hospital, St. Bartholomew’s, where he underwent “successful” heart surgery before returning to King Edward VII’s hospital.
Philip is expected to return to Windsor Castle, where he and the Queen stayed in a so-called “HMS Bubble” during the coronavirus pandemic. Buckingham Palace has not yet commented on the matter.
His illness is unrelated to the coronavirus, and both he and the queen received COVID-19 vaccinations in January.
Philip’s hospital stay coincided with the monarchy brought into crisis by claims from grandson Prince Harry and Harry’s wife, wife Meghan Markle.
The timing of the TV special caused outrage and called for a postponement, as the aging royal family continued to be treated in a hospital.
Philip is the longest-serving royal consort in British history and married the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947. They have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
With pole wires