Queen ‘had help’ during annus horribilis reveals expert

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Prince Philip, 99, was reunited with his wife Queen Elizabeth II, 94, at Windsor Castle on March 16 after spending a month in hospital, his longest ever stint as an inpatient. The Duke was first admitted to King George VII’s in London on February 16 after feeling unwell. He was treated for an infection and later transferred to St Bartholomew’s in The City where he underwent successful heart surgery, before being moved back to King Edward’s to recover.

The most recent Palace update on the Duke’s health was released on the day he left hospital and read: “The Duke of Edinburgh has today been discharged from King Edward VII’s hospital and has returned to Windsor Castle, following treatment for an infection and a successful procedure for a pre-existing condition.

“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.”

The Duke of Edinburgh is understood to have made a good recovery and to be spending a quiet time at Windsor Castle.

While the Royal Family usually marks Easter Sunday together by attending a church service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, this year the reunion will not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rather than attending a traditional Easter service, the Queen is expected to observe Easter in private by worshipping at one of Windsor Castle’s chapels.

According to one royal commentator, the Queen will be thankful for Prince Philip’s recovery as she prepares to celebrate a low-key Easter.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “As the Queen, who is deeply religious, prepares to celebrate Easter privately, Prince Philip’s recovery from his recent illness, when he spent a month in hospital, will be a reason for her to give thanks.”

Mr Fitzwilliams added: “The boost she has given to the nation’s morale during one of the most difficult years of our history has been enormous.”

“She and the Duke have been reunited at Windsor and, although he famously dislikes any fuss, he reaches the age of 100 on June 10, when a grateful nation will also give thanks in an appropriate way.”

Prince Philip and the Queen recently welcomed two new great-grandchildren to the world as their granddaughters Zara Tindall, 39, and Princess Eugenie, 31, have both given birth to sons in recent weeks.

Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are currently based just up the road from the Queen at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

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However, it is not known if the Queen has been able to meet her great-grandson August Philip Hawke yet.

On March 29, COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed in England allowing up to six people or two households to meet outdoors.

While the Queen and Philip could take advantage of this change to meet family members this Easter, they are both in their 90s and are likely to exercise extreme caution when it comes to socialising.

The Duke of Edinburgh is due to turn 100 on June 10 and while he is known to despise a fuss, his birthday is expected to be marked by some kind of nationwide celebration.

Philip’s birthday falls right before the second weekend in June, when the Queen usually celebrates her official birthday with Trooping the Colour.

However, the spectacular military parade has been called off for the second year running as the pandemic makes the mass event unfeasible.

The Queen stepped out for the first time in months on Wednesday to attend a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Airforce.

Tweeting about the event, Daily Express royal correspondent Richard Palmer wrote:  “The Queen is undertaking only her third official engagement outside a royal residence in more than a year. She is attending a service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Air Forces memorial at Runnymede to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force.”

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