Prince Philip, 99, leaves hospital after treatment for an infection, heart procedure

Associated Press Published 7:25 a.m. ET March 16, 2021 | Updated 10:28 a.m. ET March 16, 2021

Prince Philip had been hospitalized since February 16. USA TODAY

LONDON — Britain’s Prince Philip left a London hospital on Tuesday after being treated for an infection and undergoing a heart procedure.

Philip, 99, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, had been hospitalized since being admitted to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Feb. 16, where he was treated for an infection.

He was later transferred to a specialized cardiac care hospital, St. Bartholomew’s, for a short stay, before returning to King Edward VII’s.

Photographers standing outside the door of the private hospital captured his departure. Buckingham Palace has not yet commented on the matter.

More: Prince Philip to remain in the hospital through the weekend, Buckingham Palace says

More: Prince Philip undergoes successful heart procedure, will remain in hospital for treatment, rest

Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leaves King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London on March 16, 2021. – The 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II was in hospital with a heart condition. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

 (Photo: DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP via Getty Images)

Philip’s illness is not believed to be related to the coronavirus. Both Philip and Elizabeth received COVID-19 vaccinations in January and chose to publicize the matter to encourage others to also take the vaccine.

The palace announced Feb. 17 that the Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the hospital on the advice of his doctor in what Buckingham Palace described as “a precautionary measure.” He was expected at the time to remain through the weekend and into the following week.

More: Prince Philip is ‘slightly improving’ but ‘hurts at moments’ amid hospitalization, Duchess Camilla says

Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017, rarely appears in public. His most recent public event was a military ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July.

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, who has performed duties such as meetings with dignitaries remotely.

The royal household is planning celebrations to mark Philip’s 100th birthday on June 10, lockdown restrictions permitting.

More: Prince Philip, 96, to make last solo appearance Wednesday

Philip was born June 10, 1921, on the Greek island of Corfu, son of a prince of the Greek and Danish royal families. A former naval officer and keen polo player, Philip enjoyed robust health well into old age but has had a number of health issues in recent years.

In 2011, he was rushed to a hospital by helicopter after suffering chest pains and treated for a blocked coronary artery. In 2017, he spent two nights in the hospital and was hospitalized for 10 days in 2018 for a hip replacement.

Philip was last hospitalized in December 2019, spending four nights in the King Edward VII Hospital for what the palace said was planned treatment of a pre-existing condition.

He gave up driving at the age of 97, after smashing into a car while driving a Land Rover near Sandringham estate in January 2019. Philip needed help to get out of the Land Rover but wasn’t injured. A woman in the other vehicle suffered a broken wrist.

Contributing: Maria Puente

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