Philip has surgery on his heart, just months before he turns 100
THE DUKE of Edinburgh has undergone successful heart surgery, three months before his 100th birthday.
Buckingham Palace said Philip, the nation’s longest-serving consort, had the procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Wednesday.
The Palace said the 99-yearold would 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.”
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. In the serious health scare, he was treated for a blocked coronary artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire and underwent coronary stenting – inserting a tiny tube to keep the constricted artery open.
News of his latest surgery was announced amid growing tensions within the Royal Family before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, with Meghan saying in an extract 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 the American network CBS was not thought to have any intention of changing the date.
The source added: “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.”