LONDON (AP) – Prince Philip was taken to a specialist London heart hospital on Monday for tests and observation of a pre-existing heart condition while continuing treatment for an unspecified infection, Buckingham Palace said.
Queen Elizabeth II’s 99-year-old husband was taken from King Edward VII’s hospital, where he has been treated since February 17, to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, which specializes in heart care. When Philip was taken to an ambulance awaiting the transfer, people kept their umbrellas open to protect him from photographers and the public.
The palace says Philip “stays comfortable and responds to treatment, but is expected to stay in the hospital at least until the weekend.”
Philip was admitted to King Edward VII’s private hospital in London after falling ill. Philip’s disease is not thought to be related to COVID-19. Both he and the 94-year-old queen received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in early January.
Bart’s Heart Center is the largest specialized cardiovascular center in Europe, the National Health Service said. The center seeks to perform more cardiac surgery, MRI and computed tomography than any other service in the world.
Philip, who retired from royal duties in 2017, rarely appears in public. During the current coronavirus blockade in England, Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, has been housed at Windsor Castle, west London, with the Queen.
Philip married the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and is the royal consort who served most in British history. He and the queen have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.