Charles ‘teary-eyed’ at bedside visit to Philip
PRINCE Charles was said to be teary-eyed after visiting his father Prince Philip yesterday.
But Britain’s Duke of Edinburgh was said to be ‘in good spirits’ at the King Edward VII Hospital in Central London, where he has been since Tuesday evening. Wearing a face mask, Charles, 72, arrived at 3.30pm and spent half an hour at his father’s bedside.
He was the duke’s first visitor since he was admitted. An aide said that as the 99-year-old had been ‘longer than expected in hospital’, the prince had decided to visit him.
It is understood that Charles, who has received his first Covid-19 jab, made a 200-mile round trip from his home in Highgrove, Gloucestershire, to the hospital, which is currently only considering visitors in ‘exceptional circumstances’ due to the pandemic.
The duke, who will turn 100 in June, had been expected to be discharged after a few days but is now likely to remain in hospital for ‘observation and rest’ into next week out of an ‘abundance of caution’. It is thought Charles had not seen his father since before Christmas because of coronavirus restrictions – with the duke staying at Windsor Castle with the Queen.
Today is Philip’s sixth day in the private facility in London and comes as the fallout from the news about Harry and Meghan’s departure from working royal life continues.
He is understood to have been aware the announcement on Harry and Meghan was due to be released last week.
Philip walked unaided into King Edward VII Hospital on Tuesday evening on the advice of his doctor.
A royal source said: ‘Following consultation with his doctor, he is likely to remain in hospital for observation and rest over the weekend and into next week. As we have said previously, the doctor is acting with an abundance of caution.
‘The duke remains in good spirits.’