Prince Philip is on his way home after a month in the hospital.
The Duke of Edinburgh was discharged from King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Tuesday. Photographers lined up outside to get a glimpse of the 99-year-old as he was loaded into a car for his departure.
He was admitted on February 16 after concerns of feeling unwell and the discovery of an infection. He was briefly transferred to a St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where he had a cardiac procedure.
Not a lot of information has been shared about the nature of the duke's illness. Despite initial speculation, it was not related to the virus or the vaccine that he and Queen Elizabeth received the first dose of in late January.
Queen Elizabeth finds herself in good spirits as her husband returns home from a monthlong stay in the hospital. Prince Philip was first admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in mid-February. Palace sources said the Duke of Edinburgh felt unwell and was advised to go by doctors but that the issue wasn't anything serious.
The longer the 99-year-old, who will turn 100 this June, was in the hospital, the more concerned royal fans grew. The Duke of Edinburgh was briefly transferred to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where he had a procedure related to a known heart condition.
Photographers gathered on March 16 to see the duke released from the hospital. Some shots of him leaving were taken and shared before the palace statement on his release.
"His Royal Highness wishes to thank all the medical staff who looked after him at both King Edward VII's Hospital and St Bartholomew's Hospital, and everyone who has sent their good wishes," Buckingham Palace shared.
Philip returned home to Windsor Castle, where he and the Queen have ridden out most of lockdown. There are plans to celebrate his 100th birthday this June, though it's unclear how circumstances around the health crisis and the family's strained relationships will impact those celebrations.
Aside from celebrating Philip's return home, the Queen is also starting her St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
"On the occasion of your National Day, I would like to convey to Your Excellency my congratulations, together with my best wishes to the people of Ireland," she shared.
"This year marks ten years since my visit to Ireland, which I remember fondly, and it marks a significant centenary across these islands. We share ties of family, friendship and affection – the foundation of our partnership that remains as important today as ten years ago. 'Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh go léir.'"
The Queen's tour of Ireland was indeed a historic one. Her 2011 visit marked the first time that a monarch came to the country in 100 years. Typically, the Queen would celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Prince William and Kate Middleton. The royals would attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade at Cavalry Barracks and meet with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards. Those festivities have been canceled due to the health crisis.
