(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 25, 2017 Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leaves after attending Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England. AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS
Queen Elizabeth II’s 96-year-old husband Prince Philip left hospital on Friday following a successful hip replacement operation last week, officials said.
“The Duke of Edinburgh left King Edward VII’s Hospital at midday today, following a hip replacement operation last week,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
“The Duke will continue his recovery at Windsor,” it said.
Philip, who is best known for his mischievous sense of humour, forthright manner and off-colour jokes, formally retired from public life last year but has attended some royal engagements since then.
He was admitted to the private hospital in London on April 3 for planned surgery and operated on the following day.
Buckingham Palace said last week that the operation was successful and the duke was “comfortable and in good spirits”.
Daughter Princess Anne was the only member of the family seen visiting the royal patriarch in hospital.
Prince Philip was forced to miss Easter religious services due to the problem with his hip and has had various health complaints in recent years.
His grandson Prince Harry’s wedding to US actress Meghan Markle on May 19 is likely to be his first public appearance after his operation.
Born a prince of Greece and Denmark, he married then princess Elizabeth on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London.
On their golden wedding anniversary in 1997, she said of him: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.”
