Heart op for Philip as royal tensions rise over ‘Megxit’
THE Duke of Edinburgh has undergone successful heart surgery – just three months before his 100th birthday.
Buckingham Palace said yesterday that Philip, the nation’s longest-serving consort, had the procedure for his pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Wednesday.
The Palace said the 99-year-old duke will remain in hospital for “treatment, rest and recuperation” for a number of days.
Concern will be heightened for the duke because of his advanced age, with the Duchess of Cornwall saying on Wednesday that Philip was “slightly improving” and adding: “We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
The news was announced amid growing tensions within the royal family ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, with Meghan saying in an extract that she could not be expected to stay silent if ‘the firm’ played a part in “perpetuating falsehoods” about her and Harry.
The Sussexes have faced calls for the broadcast on Sunday to be postponed out of respect for Philip, but a source close to the couple said that US network CBS is not thought to want to change the date.
“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,” the source said.
“As it stands, I don’t think there is any intention from the programme maker to change its air date.”
Philip has been treated for heart problems in the past and in 2011 was rushed to hospital by helicopter from Sandringham, after suffering chest pains as the royal family were preparing for Christmas. He was treated for a blocked coronary artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire and underwent a minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting.
St Bartholomew’s is home to Barts Heart Centre – Europe’s largest specialised cardiovascular service.
Philip was initially admitted to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London on February 16 after feeling unwell, before being moved to St Bartholomew’s on Monday. He has now spent 16 nights in hospital – his longest-ever stay.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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”.
Philip was visited in King Edward VII’s Hospital on February 20 by his eldest son, the Prince of Wales, who made a 200-mile round-trip and stayed for around 30 minutes.
The duke has spent most of lockdown at Windsor Castle with the Queen for their safety amid the pandemic. The couple, who have been married for 73 years, received their first Covid-19 jabs in January.
The Queen has carried on with her official duties, holding her weekly audience with Prime Minister Boris Johnson by telephone from Windsor on Wednesday evening, but there was a new low on the day Philip was facing surgery as the acrimonious fallout from ‘Megxit’ worsened.
Meghan was accused of bullying former royal staff, with The Times newspaper alleging she drove out two personal assistants. Buckingham Palace responded by launching an investigation into the claims, saying it is “very concerned” and would invite past and present staff to speak in confidence about their experiences of working for Meghan. A spokesman for the duchess said she was “saddened by this latest attack on her character”.