Duke of Edinburgh spends sixth night in hospital after visit from Prince Charles

The Duke of Edinburgh remained in hospital on Sunday after receiving a visit from his eldest son Prince Charles.

Philip, 99, was admitted to the King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Tuesday last week as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell.

The Prince of Wales was the first member of the Royal Family to visit when he made a 200-mile round-trip from his home at Highgrove, Gloucestershire, on Saturday.

The Prince was seen going into the hospital wearing a face mask before leaving 30 minutes later. A Clarence House spokesman confirmed he returned to Highgrove following the visit.

His continued stay in hospital came a day after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed they would not be returning as working members of the Royal Family.

Prince William was said to be “shocked and saddened” by his brother’s behaviour towards the Queen after Harry and Meghan were stripped of their royal patronages by Her Majesty.

After a Buckingham Palace statement said the Queen had confirmed it was “not possible” for the couple “to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service”, the Duke and Duchess said: “We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.”

The row was reported to have placed further strain on the relationship with the two brothers. It has also been claimed the billionaire chat show host Oprah Winfrey spent two days with the couple last week filing a prime-time interview due to be screened next month.

Sources said on Friday that “with an abundance of caution”, the Duke of Edinburgh was likely to remain in hospital over the weekend and into this week, adding that he remained “in good spirits”.

The Duke, who will turn 100 on 10 June, is in hospital for an undisclosed reason, although it is not believed to be coronavirus-related.

Prince Charles, who spent the first lockdown at Birkhall in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall, spoke last year of not being able to see his father as coronavirus restrictions persisted.

In June last year, he said: “Well, I haven’t seen my father for a long time.”

He is thought not to have seen him since at least before Christmas, with the Duke staying at Windsor with the Queen.

The Royal author Penny Juror said: “We do all know he doesn’t like a fuss and he would regard a visit as a fuss.”

She said she did not the reason for Prince Charles’s visit, but added: “Momentous things are happening in the family at the moment and I suppose it’s perfectly possible that Charles wanted to go and talk to his father and reassure him about Harry.”

A 10-year-old boy wished the Duke of Edinburgh a “quick recovery” as he stood outside the King Edward VII hospital holding a home-made sign. It said: “Dear Prince Philip, Get well soon. I am thinking of you and wish you a quick recovery.”

Twanna Saleh, from Camden, north London, said: “When I was little I used to have chemotherapy for five years and I felt sad for Philip so I wrote this letter so he can feel better. My sister helped me draw the heart and the flower.”