Buckingham Palace gives update on Prince Philip’s hip surgery
Prince Philip has undergone a full hip replacement at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Philip had the planned operation in King Edward VII Hospital in central London.
“The Duke of Edinburgh has undergone a successful hip replacement operation. He is progressing satisfactorily at this early stage,’’ Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
“His Royal Highness is likely to remain in hospital for several days. He is comfortable and in good spirits.’’
The husband of Queen Elizabeth remains active and walks unaided but has experienced severe pain in his hips, causing him to miss three public events in the last two weeks.
Last week, Philip was seen driving a horse-drawn buggy around Windsor Castle estate and was said to be excited to return to his hobby.
While the hip replacement was planned, it caused concerns across the UK due to the risk of an elderly person undergoing a general anaesthetic.
Last year in August, Prince Philip retired from public duties.
The Queen, who turns 92 on April 21, like Philip, does not use walking aids.
The Queen remains very mobile, riding horses and driving her car on her own.
Longevity has proven to be a characteristic of the modern royal family with the late Queen Mother undergoing hip replacement surgery when she was 95 years old.
Her operation, carried out in the same hospital as Prince Philip’s, was a success. Two years later she fell and fractured her other hip, requiring emergency surgery, which eventually allowed her to walk again.
She lived until she was 101 years old.
Royal watchers are hoping Prince Philip will recover by May 19, so he can enjoy the marriage of his grandson Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.