LONDON (AP) – Prince Philip was rushed to a London specialized heart hospital on Monday to undergo and observe a pre-existing heart condition while he continues treatment for an unspecified infection, Buckingham Palace said.
The 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II has been transferred 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 put in a waiting ambulance for the transfer, people held up open umbrellas to protect him from photographers and the public.
The palace says Philip “is still comfortable and responding to treatment, but is expected to stay in the hospital until at least the end of the week.”
Philip was admitted to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in London after feeling ill. Philip’s illness is not believed to be related to COVID-19. Both he and the Queen, 94, received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in early January.
Bart’s Heart Center is Europe’s largest specialized cardiovascular center, according to the National Health Service. The center strives to perform more heart surgeries, MRIs, and CT scans than any other service in the world.
Philip, who retired from royal duties in 2017, rarely appears in public. During England’s current coronavirus lockdown, Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, lived with the Queen at Windsor Castle, west of London.
Philip married then Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and is the longest serving royal consort in British history. He and the queen have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
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