Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh will stay in the hospital until next week, palace aides have confirmed. It was hoped that the 99-year-old royal would be discharged by the weekend, but doctors have advised keeping the Duke in for further observation. Prince Philip, who has been vaccinated, is not suffering symptoms of Covid-19, but the palace has not given a reason for the hospital admission, only that it was not an emergency.
Prince Philip was driven to King Edward VIII hospital in central London by private car on Tuesday and walked himself into the building. Aides describe the hospitalization as a “cautionary” measure after the Duke reported feeling unwell earlier this week. He is being closely monitored and a decision was made Friday that he will stay at the hospital over the weekend and into next week.
A palace source told Vanity Fair, “Following consultation with his doctor, the Duke of Edinburgh is likely to remain in hospital for observation and rest over the weekend and into next week. As we have said previously the doctor is acting with an abundance of caution. The Duke remains in good spirits.”
The news comes after a dramatic day at the Palace, which confirmed Friday morning that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not returning to the Royal Family in a work capacity.
It was expected that an announcement about the Sussexes’ future would be made at the end of March, but it is believed that Harry and Meghan’s decision to sit down for a televised interview with Oprah Winfrey prompted courtiers to want to make the statement sooner. “The decision had been made that the Sussexes were not returning to royal duties and it was a case of wanting to tie up loose ends in the hope of ending speculation,” a palace source told Vanity Fair.
Earlier this week the Daily Mail splashed the news that the Sussexes were set to lose their royal patronages following an announcement from CBS about the Oprah Winfrey interview. In a press release the network promised an “intimate” and wide-ranging interview with the couple which will see Meghan discuss motherhood, philanthropy and her life in the spotlight. She will then be joined by Prince Harry for the second part of the interview, where they are expected to discuss why they left the Royal Family and their home Britain and their new lives in Montecito.
In a rare nod to her private feelings, the Queen expressed her sadness at the news that the couple are not returning to royal duties in a statement on Friday, and described Harry and Meghan as much loved members of the family.
It is understood that Prince Philip was made aware of Friday’s statement out of Buckingham Palace, as well as Harry and Meghan’s response. A source close to the couple said that while they respected the Palace’s decision, there had been differences of opinion over their royal patronages. Harry and Meghan wanted to retain them, while the Queen told them they would have to give them up.
Royal biographer Robert Jobson, author of Prince Philip’s Century, said the news will be upsetting and unsettling for the Duke, who turns 100 in June. “I think the Duke will be very upset and he’ll find it hard to understand,” Jobson said. “One can’t be sure what part he took in the discussions about Harry and Meghan’s future but this will have deeply affected him. Given he has been a servicemen who put his life on the line for Queen and country I think Philip will see this as a dereliction of duty. He gave up his career and passion to serve the Queen and the Crown. He put that duty first and he expects all of his family to do the same. arry and Meghan have learnt that you can’t have it both ways, but what will concern the Queen and Prince Philip is the pressure this puts on the others, quite simply, there is now a much greater workload.”
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
— Carl Lentz and the Trouble at Hillsong
— How Kate Middleton’s Fashion Could Change When She Becomes Queen
— Britney Spears and the Mainstream Media’s Matt Lauer Problem
— Meena Harris, Reluctant Influencer, Wants to Democratize Who Holds Sway
— The Joy and Agony of Being @deuxmoi, Instagram’s Accidental Gossip Queen
— Meghan and Harry’s Pregnancy Announcement Is a “Testament to Their Joy”
— 13 Essential Items Inspired by Fran Lebowitz
— From the Archive: How #freebritney Started as a Meme and Grew Into a Movement
— Not a subscriber? Join Vanity Fair to receive full access to VF.com and the complete online archive now.