LONDON — Prince William said Monday that his grandfather, Prince Philip, is “OK” as the 99-year-old royal consort remains in a London hospital for rest and observation.
William was asked about Philip when he visited a coronavirus vaccination center in eastern England.
“Yes, he’s OK, they’re keeping an eye on him,” William said, and gave a wink.
USA TODAY has reached out to Buckingham Palace for further updates.
On Saturday, Prince Charles visited Philip, his father. Charles arrived at the private King Edward VII’s Hospital by car in the afternoon and stayed for about half an hour. The hospital’s website says visits are only allowed in “exceptional circumstances” because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Philip, 99, was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday on the advice of his doctor in what Buckingham Palace described as “a precautionary measure.”
The husband of Queen Elizabeth II was expected to remain through the weekend and into this week.
More:Prince Philip to remain in the hospital through the weekend, Buckingham Palace says
More:Queen Elizabeth II, joined by Prince William, makes her first public outing since COVID-19 isolation
More:Prince Charles, Camilla make first in-person royal visit of 2021 after Prince Philip’s hospitalization
Philip’s illness is not believed to be related to COVID-19. Both he and the queen, 94, received a first dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus in early January.
Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017, rarely appears in public. His most recent public event was a military ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July.
During England’s current coronavirus lockdown, Philip, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, has been staying at Windsor Castle, west of London, with the queen, who has performed duties such as meetings with dignitaries remotely.
The royal household is planning celebrations to mark Philip’s 100th birthday on June 10, lockdown restrictions permitting.
Philip married the then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947 and is the longest-serving royal consort in British history. He and the queen have four children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Philip was born June 10, 1921, on the Greek island of Corfu, son of a prince of the Greek and Danish royal families. A former naval officer and keen polo player, Philip enjoyed robust health well into old age but has had a number of health issues in recent years.
In 2011, he was rushed to a hospital by helicopter after suffering chest pains and treated for a blocked coronary artery. In 2017, he spent two nights in the King Edward VII hospital and was hospitalized for 10 days in 2018 for a hip replacement.
Philip was last hospitalized in December 2019, spending four nights in the King Edward VII Hospital for what the palace said was planned treatment of a pre-existing condition.
He gave up driving at the age of 97, after smashing into a car while driving a Land Rover near Sandringham estate in January 2019. Philip needed help to get out of the Land Rover but wasn’t injured. A woman in the other vehicle suffered a broken wrist.
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff and Maria Puente, USA TODAY; and the Associated Press
