In the wake of the recent news, royal watchers are starting to wonder if Prince Philip will be able to attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Over the past few weeks, it was announced that the Duke of Edinburgh was to miss several engagements due to hip troubles. When the Duke missed Prince Andrew’s new appointment as Colonel of the Grenadier on 22 March, Buckingham Palace did not respond to requests for comment, but his absence did not go unnoticed. Prince Philip did not attend Maundy Service this past Thursday, nor was he seen at Easter Service, which generated a lot of discussion.
When the couple announced their engagement last year, there was surely no doubt Prince Philip would attend their wedding, but his current condition has led to much uncertainty.
On Tuesday, Buckingham Palace announced, “His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London this afternoon, for planned surgery on his hip which will take place tomorrow.”
His planned surgery will take place today (Wednesday).
After nearly 70 years dedicated to public service to the Crown, Philip retired from official duties with the full support of The Queen last year. In June 2017, the Duke was admitted to hospital for an infection stemming from a pre-existing condition but was back in working order for celebrations at Sandringham over the Christmas holiday.
Though he has been admitted to hospital on more than one occasion over the last few years, Prince Philip is still vibrant for someone who will turn 97 in June. Given the recovery time for hip surgery is six to eight weeks, with patients being able to resume light activities at three weeks, there is little doubt Philip will attend the Royal Wedding.
The retired royal will undoubtedly undergo physical therapy in the six weeks between his surgery and the wedding, where he will proudly watch Prince Harry marry Meghan Markle.