‘Fingers crossed’: Prince Edward gives update on Prince Philip’s condition

Prince Edward has given a health update on his father, Prince Philip, who has been in hospital for the past week. The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was admitted to London’s King Edward VII Hospital on Tuesday, February 16, as a precaution after feeling unwell.

Edward told news.sky.com on Tuesday that his father has improved. “I did speak to him the other day, so he’s a lot better thank you very much indeed, and he’s looking forward to getting out, which is the most positive thing,” Prince Edward, 56, said. “So we keep our fingers crossed.”

Asked if Prince Philip was frustrated at being in hospital, Edward added, “Just a bit! I think that gets to all of us, and then, you can only watch the clock so many times and the walls are only so interesting.”

Edward’s comments come the same day Buckingham Palace also shared an update on Prince Philip’s health. The palace said in a statement on Tuesday, obtained by news.com.au, that the duke will remain in hospital for now.

“The Duke of Edinburgh remains at King Edward VII’s Hospital where he is receiving medical attention for an infection,” the palace said. “He is comfortable and responding to treatment but is not expected to leave hospital for several days.”

Meanwhile, earlier in the week, Prince William said his grandfather was “okay” and noted the hospital staff were “keeping an eye on him”.

The news comes just a few weeks after Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth had their first dose of the Covid vaccine.

This isn’t the first time the prince has been rushed to hospital. Philip was last in hospital just before Christmas in 2019. At the time, palace officials said he was in for treatment of a pre-existing condition.