The Royalist - Engagements Cancelled As Philip Leaves Hospital

Engagements Cancelled As Philip Leaves Hospital

Written by Joanne Leyland

Sunday, 06 April 2008

The Duke of Edinburgh has left the King Edward VII Hospital in London, three days after he was admitted for treatment of a serious chest infection.

Making a brief appearance during a light flurry of snow, the Duke waved to photographers as he made his way unassisted from the hospital to a waiting range rover.

Sitting in the front passenger seat, the prince is now being driven back to Windsor for a reunion with the Queen.

The prince who famously has little time for the media didn't respond to questions shouted from across the road by journalists awaiting his appearance.

As the Duke left the hospital shortly before 1.30pm, Buckingham Palace announced that his diary of engagements for tomorrow have now been cancelled.

Prince Philip was due to attend a Council Meeting at St. George’s House at Windsor Castle in his capacity as Trustee.

In the evening, he was due to host a dinner at Windsor Castle marking the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. Both events will go ahead, but without the presence of the royal guest.

Buckingham Palace says the prince's diary will now be reviewed on a daily basis.

The most eagerly awaited engagement of the coming days is that which would hopefully see the Queen and Prince Philip make a joint return to Dartmouth Naval College in Dartmouth.

It was here that the 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth was first pictured in July 1939 with the handsome young naval officer who would become her husband and consort of more than six decades.

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Name: Emily Elizabeth Windsor-Cragg	Comment: I like exploora's idea :: the kids should have shown up incognito with daisier just to say, "Grandpa, I love you." : ) EEWC

Name: Rachel	Comment: I agree with Monika. Having various princess and princesses show up at the hospital would have been taken as a sign that the Duke was "on his way out." Except for the birth of children, I can't think of cases where Royals were visited in hospital.

Name: exploora

Comment:
I think Prince Philip is going to be very disappointed canceling his engagements. And If members of the RF had been visiting, the paps could have found ways to walk about the hospital, possibly disrupting other patients, possibly the elite of the elite paps may have been successful getting photos of Prince Philip in his gown with open back side walking around telling nurses that he is not sick enough to create all this fuss. Who knows.

I remember when I was treated for bronchitis, the doctor said to me remember you are sick, no cycling. And of course people who phoned me said I heard you are sick I hope you stay off your bike. Do people need to be told that over and over again. I understand the doctor doing that. When people are sick do people really think they need to be reminded how sick they are, or that they could actually die? When a person is sick people need to be uplifted a bit, planning things for the future helps. Giving up on life and things one enjoys I don't think is the way anyone really wants to live.

When I went for routine tests on Friday, I parked my bike by the extended care unit for seniours and they all looked so sad while they were eating their lunch, which looked pretty good. I know they are being taken care of very well etc, but it was quiet, and so clinical. and sad.

I don't know what the answer is. I think if young people visited their grand parents, it would make a huge difference to them. Prince Harry could have dressed up like someone else, snuck in for a few moments, if the paps can do that why can't Prince Harry. All is fair in love and war. Or so we are conditioned to believe. Possibly the rules on visiting are very strict. Who knows. I am glad Prince Philip is going home.

It was like that movie about Prince John, where his grandfather said I feel awful today and Prince John said to him well it is because you are so old grandpa.That was right before the King died. That was a very good movie. I am sure it was dramatized quiet a bit, but so is about everything I would suspect which is written about the royals.

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Name: Emily Elizabeth Windsor-Cragg	Comment: However, it is a way for HRH Prince Philip to get away from it all for a couple of days. That has to be worth something too. I mean, a change of scenery can mean a change in one's perspective as well. He leaves looking somewhat tired but relieved somehow. EEWC

Name: Dianne	Comment: I still find it hard to believe that "family" members were not by his bedside..sad and telling.

Name: Monika	Comment: Dianne, I think it was intentional... IMO, it would have fueled major speculation about the "true" state of his health.

Name: Emily Elizabeth Windsor-Cragg	Comment: No visitors? How odd. Well, maybe they kept in contact by phone or internet. He should have had at least SOMEBODY there with him. You know how hospitals are. EEWC

Name: Dianne	Comment: Doesn't it seem strange that NO ONE (not even the Queen) from the RF visited him during his stay at hospital? Odd...

Name: Monika	Comment: This is good news. I wish him well.

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