Royal biographer says ‘outspoken’ Prince Philip will not be an easy hospital patient

‘I think if he felt people were fussing over him he could be quite outspoken about that,’ the author said

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Medics will not be keen to treat “blunt” Prince Philip, says a royal biographer of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Philip was admitted to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in London as a precaution on Tuesday evening.

Penny Junor joked that staff at the hospital probably “would not want him” on their shift as he could not stand people “fussing over him”.

Junor told BBC Breakfast: “I think he can be quite blunt and I think if he felt people were fussing over him he could be quite outspoken about that.

“This is a man who doesn’t want any fuss made of his 100th birthday, so the fact he’s in hospital and getting some fuss made of him will really irritate him.”

The specific reason for the Duke’s admission to hospital has not been disclosed but it is not thought to be Covid-related. The 99-year-old had his coronavirus vaccination last month.

It is understood that Philip was taken to hospital by car after feeling unwell for a brief period.

Buckingham Palace previously said in a statement: “His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Tuesday evening.

“The duke’s admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness’s doctor, after feeling unwell.

“The duke is expected to remain in hospital for a few days of observation and rest.”

A Number 10 spokesperson sent Boris Johnson’s best wishes to the Duke.

The spokesperson said: “The PM sends his best wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh as he undergoes a few days of rest in hospital.”

Prince Philip retired from official engagements in 2017 and is now rarely seen in public.

He has suffered from multiple health issues over the years. In 2011, he was treated for a blocked coronary artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire. The following year he was forced to miss the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations after being admitted to hospital with a bladder infection.

In December 2019, the Duke spent four nights at the King Edward Hospital while being treated for a “pre-existing condition”. He was discharged on Christmas Eve.