Prince Philip: Let Me Go Home!

Duke of Edinburgh insists he's well and good to go.

Robust or frail, Prince Philip remains in fighting form. Not even his chest pain, not the succeeding surgery dampened the 90-year old Duke of Edinburgh's spirits. In fact, hours after he awakened from operation, he demanded that he released from hospital confinement. 


"I feel fine," said the Duke to his doctors who performed the operation that remedied the blockage in his artery. "I don't want to make a fuss. I just want to go home."


Insiders at the Papsworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, the country's most advanced heart and lung center said that the Duke can't wait to go home. But the Duke will have to wait for at least one more night.


The Duke of Edinburgh was rushed to the Cambrideshire hospital evening, December 23 when he complained of chest pain. A successful operation was performed which removed the blockage in the artery. Midday Dec. 24, Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of the Royal Family paid him a visit. This is the first time that the royal consort was not present in the annual Christmas Day Church Service in Sandringham estate, the royal family's holiday home in Norfolk. 

British Royal Family Attends Christmas Day Service

• Prince Philip not present, recovering from surgery in hospital. 
• Duchess of Cambridge joins Royal Family for the Christmas Service the first time. 
• Rugby star Mike Tindall present.

For the sake of the holidays, the Royal Family cheers up, after all
they have the reason, thanks to Prince Philip's recovery.

The Royal Family celebrated Christmas Day service at Sandringham, their Norfolk estate that serves as their Christmas retreat every year. Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh's conditions progresses as he recovers at hospital in Cambridgeshire. This is the first time that the Queen with the Royal Family celebrates Christmas without Prince Philip.


In his sermon, Sandringham's rector, the Rev. Jonathan Riviere asked the congregation to join him in a prayer for the Duke of Edinburgh's speedy recovery.

"We pray for the Queen and the Royal Family, especially today we pray for Prince Philip and his continued recovery,” he said.

Hundreds of people flocked at the gates to see the Queen and her family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall, as they go to the royal estate's church.

England rugby player Mike Tindall and the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, who wedded last summer, were present at service.

Sandringham is the royal family's official residence for Christmas. Philip normally treads the few hundred yards from the main house to the church and since the Queen's ascension had never missed a Christmas Day service.

Well-wishers called out with questions about the Duke, but members of the family did not respond.

The royals traditionally gather at Sandringham for Christmas. Prince Philip normally walks the few hundred yards from the main house to the church and is not thought to have missed a Christmas Day service before.

Although the crowd repeatedly asked questions about the Duke, members of the family did not make any response.

This is the first time that the Duchess of Cambridge spends Christmas as a member of the Royal Family after her highly publicized wedding to Prince William, now the Duke of Cambridge, in April.

Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and Camilla (L-R) lead the
royal family on their way to the church service. 

The Duchess of Cambridge warmly accepts some flowers from a girl.

The Queen receives a bouquet of flowers from
well-wishers after the Christmas Day Service.

The Duke of Cambridge escorts her lovely wife, the smiling Duchess.

Prince Harry beams while meeting the cheering crowds.

The Duchess of Cambridge receives a lovely rose from one of the crowds.

Zarah Phillips attends the Christmas service with
husband Mike Tindall.

Princess Beatrice in her smart look, wearing brown
hat and coat, with a clutch bag at hand.

Rugby player Mike Tindall joins the Royal Family's
Christmas Day Service.

The Royal Family on their way to church.

The Duke of York is very merrily warm despite
the cold Christmas morning.

Princess Anne is kept warm with all the wrap for
Christmas Day Service.

Photo Source, The Daily Mail, retrieved Dec. 25, 2011.

Prince Philip recovers after operation

Stenting procedure successfully performed to remedy coronary artery block.

The Duke of Edinburgh underwent stenting procedure to successfully treat a blocked coronary artery.

The duke manifested chest pains and flown by a helicopter from the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, wherer the royal family spends Christmas, to the specialist cardiothoracic facility at Papworth hospital in Cambridgeshire, Friday night.

He underwent a successful "invasive procedure of coronary stenting".

If the duke shows signs of progress, he could be back on his feet by Christmas Day, in time for the Boxing Day shoot, which he was expected to lead.

Saturday morning, Ailsa Anderson, a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace, said that the "The Duke of Edinburgh had a good night and is in good spirits but he is eager to leave.

"Tomorrow's [Sunday's] church service is going ahead as planned and we don't anticipate changes to the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations."

Dr. Simon Davies, consultant intervention cardiologist at the Royal Brompton hospital in London, said the duke showed symptoms of heart attack before the stenting procedure was performed.


"They [surgeons] have put a miniature sausage-shaped balloon down the artery, pushed the balloon into the narrowed section and then blown it up. That forces the material that is blocking the artery outwards and then gets the blood flowing down the artery again.


"The stent is like a little metal sleeve fitted over the balloon when it is blown up. This metallic sleeve is opened up and then when the balloon is deflated and withdrawn the stent stays behind."


This is by far the most serious health health threat the duke has endured. He is well-known for his robust personality and active health. For many years, he has defied old age and even on his 90^thyear, he continues to perform engagements and go on tours abroad, the latest was in October when he joined the Queen for an intensive 11-day tour of Australia.

The last time the duke was admitted to hospital was in April 2008, when he was diagnosed chest infection for a number of days before getting the treatment. But despite the respiratory problem, he walked into the medical institution and walked out three days later after declared having fully recovered.

Midday Saturday, Queen Elizabeth II visited the duke driven in a Range Rover after flown by the royal helicopter to Cambridgeshire. He was accompanied by the Duke of York, Earl of Wessex, and the Princess Royal. They were followed by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, who arrived by car. 

The Queen and Prince Edward on their way to visit Prince Philip. 

Prince Charles on his way to the hospital.

The Duchess of Cornwall on her way to the hospital.

Princess Anne accompanies the Queen to visit the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Royal Family boarding the royal helicopter.

The Royal helicopter flies the Queen and the rest of the royal family
to visit the Duke of Edinburgh in Cambridgeshire hospital.

Photosource, The Daily Mail, retrieved Dec. 24, 2011.

Prince Philip Rushed to Hospital

Duke of Edinburgh suffers chest pain.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was rushed to hospital after chest pains. 

The prince was admitted to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge for precautionary test. The said hospital in Great Britain's largest and most advanced pulmonary and cardiothoracic facility.

The Royal Family is residence at Sandringham House, in their Norfolk estate for the Christmas holiday.

“Either this is more serious and therefore they felt they really must issue a statement, or they’ve simply moved with the times and it’s going to get out in social media,” notes BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond on how fast the new of the duke's health condition spread through the public. 

The Duke of Edinburgh Attends Dinner for Youth Charities

In celebration of the 90^thyear of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, youth charities The Duke of Edinburgh Awards and the Outward Bound Society held a dinner at Buckingham Palace, December 15. The Duke is Patron of both charities and has been giving much of his time and attention for the causes of these organizations.  

The Duke of Edinburgh chats with guests during the dinner sponsored 

by The Duke of Edinburgh Award and Outward Bound Trust. 

The Duke of Edinburgh delivers a speech before guests during the 

dinner sponsored by The Duke of Edinburgh Award and Outward

Bound Trust. The Duke has been the patron and staunch supporter 

of the causes of these organizations for more than 50 years. 

Photo source, The Royal Family's Official Facebook Page, Retrieved December 22, 2011.

Great Britain - Court Circular December 19, 2011

Here is the latest diary of activities of the Royal Family for December 19, 2011.


BUCKINGHAM PALACE


The Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel-in-Chief, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, received Major General Ian Dale (Representative Colonel Commandant).


ST. JAMES'S PALACE: 


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Henry of Wales attended the Sun Military Awards Ceremony at the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London, and were received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London Sir David Brewer. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge together with
 Prince Harry attends Sun Military Awards. 

Great Britain: Court Circular October 5, 2011

BALMORAL CASTLE: The Duke of Edinburgh visited the London Gateway DP World Project, the Manorway, Stanford-le-Hope, and was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex (the Lord Petre). In the afternoon, he received members of the Hull Kung Fu. In the evening, he attended a dinner and officially re-opened the Arts Club, at 40 Dover Street.


BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The Duke of York, Colonel-in-Chief, The Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot), received Lieutenant Colonel David Colthup upon relinquishing his appointment as Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment. He then visited WorldSkills 2011 and met the winners of the National Training Awards, ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London.


BUCKINGHAM PALACE: The Princess Royal, Director of London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, attended the Ninth International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London. In the afternoon, she held a Supporters' Luncheon at Buckingham Palace, and later chaired a Council Meeting at Royal Thames Yacht Club. In the evening, she attended a Reception for the Ninth International Olympic Committee Coordination Commission at City Hall and later attended a Fundraising Dinner at St. John's Gate.


KENSINGTON PALACE: The Duke of Gloucester, President of British Expertise, chaired the panel of judges for the British Expertise International Awards at Ten Grosvenor Gardens. The Duchess of Gloucester, Patron of the Friends of St. Paul's Cathedral visited St. Paul's Cathedral School in the afternoon.  She later attended Chorister's Rehearsal and the City Churches Festival Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral.


ST. JAMES'S PALACE: The Duke of Kent visited Croft House Residential Home and was received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset (Lady Gass). In the afternoon, he visited Hestercombe Gardens, and officially opened the new YMCA site, including the George Williams Centre and Gerald Townsend House. In the evening, attended a Reception to mark the Day of German Unity at the Residence of the German Ambassador in London.

Great Britain: Court Circular September 30, 2011

BALMORAL CASTLE: 

Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, represents HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Service of Thanksgiving in honor of the The Earl of Harewood held in All Saints Church, Harewood, West Yorkshire.  Lord Crathrone represented The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall; Mr. Alastair Watson, the Duke of York; Prince Michael of Kent, The Earl and Countess of Wessex; Hon. Mrs. Louloudis, The Princess Royal was represented; and the Earl of St. Andrews, The Duke and Duchess of Kent. Likewise, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were present in the event.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: 

The Duke of York today attended engagements in Singapore.

He visited the Nanyang Technological University Main Campus and attended the signing ceremony for the Joint Masters Programme in Project Management between the University of Manchester and Nanyang Technological University.  He received a briefing on the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University and attended a British Chamber of Commerce Luncheon for British entrepreneurs given by the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore at Eden Hall. 

In the afternoon, he met former Singapore President Sellapan Ramanathan at the Four Seasons Hotel. Later, he received received by The President of the Republic of Singapore at the Istana and the Emeritus Senior Minister at the Istana. He also met the Group President of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation at Capital Tower. 

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: 

The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Founders, Wessex Youth Trust, held a Luncheon at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire.