Prince Philip returns to King Edward VII hospital from specialist St Bart’s ward after successful heart op
PRINCE Philip has returned to King Edward VII hospital after a successful heart operation, the Palace has confirmed.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was transferred to St Bartholomew's Hospital from the King Edward VII hospital for surgery on Monday.
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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 underwent testing for his pre-existing heart problem at the hospital, which is one of the country's leading specialist cardiac centres.
Buckingham Palace confirmed yesterday Philip, who is just three months away from his 100th birthday, had an operation and will remain in hospital for a "number of days".
He has so far spent a total of 17 nights being cared for by medics - his longest ever stay in hospital.
A statement said: "The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
"His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days."
Prince Philip had a stent operation on his heart in 2011. The palace is not commenting on what type of surgery or operation the duke had this time.
The update comes after the Queen launched a bombshell probe following claims Meghan had bullied royal staff.
This include aides described as being “completely destroyed”, it is alleged.
In an unprecedented move, the Palace released a statement saying they were "very concerned" and "won't tolerate harassment".
Meghan said she was “saddened” by the claims and strenuously denies them.
Philip's health update also comes ahead of grandson Prince Harry's tell-all interview with Megan this weekend.
There have been calls to delay the airing of the chat with Oprah Winfrey, which will air in the UK on Monday, out of respect for Philip.
But a source close to the couple said US network CBS is not believed to have any intention of changing the date.
The insider told PA: "There are a lot of people who are going to talk about this until the programme airs, but the programming and all the rest of it is ultimately up to CBS, we're not involved in that side of things.
"As it stands, I don't think there is any intention from the programme maker to change its air date."
The Queen brushed off the royal fears yesterday as she carried on with business as usual.
She held her weekly audience with Boris Johnson last night and today had a telephone chat with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston.
Philip was pictured leaving London's King Edward VII clinic in an ambulance on Monday as police guarded his way.
Buckingham Palace previously said the Duke walked into the hospital unaided and received medical attention for an infection.
And in an update last Tuesday, the Palace said: "He is comfortable and responding to treatment but is not expected to leave hospital for several days."
"So we keep our fingers crossed."
Meanwhile, Prince Charles visited his father the weekend before last, looking sombre as he left.
It is understood Charles wanted to visit his father due to his extended stay.
“The most common procedure involves a catheter passed through a small incision in the skin up to the blocked artery. A balloon then widens the vessel. A stent — a small tube — is put in place to keep the artery open.
“Stenting is now pretty common in the over-90s.
“Usually, there’s two needs; for a heart attack or unstable angina.
The visit is Philip's longest stay in hospital since June 2013 when he had an exploratory operation on his abdomen.
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The Palace said on Monday: "The Duke of Edinburgh was transferred from King Edward VII’s Hospital to St Bartholomew’s Hospital where doctors will continue to treat him for an infection, as well as undertake testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition.
"The Duke remains comfortable and is responding to treatment but is expected to remain in hospital until at least the end of the week."
Op in over-90s ‘common now’
CONSULTANT cardiologist Dr Ramzi Khamis says: “The main treatment for heart disease remains tablets. We only intervene when there is a real need.
“The most common procedure involves a catheter passed through a small incision in the skin up to the blocked artery.
A balloon then widens the vessel. A stent — a small tube — is put in place to keep the artery open.
“Stenting is now pretty common in the over-90s.“Usually, there’s two needs; for a heart attack or unstable angina.
“With 99 of 100 patients we have no complications.”