Duke of Edinburgh leaves hospital after four night stay
24 December 2019, 08:56
Prince Philip has been discharged from hospital in time to spend Christmas with the Queen following a four-night stay for treatment for a "pre-existing condition."
The Duke spent four nights in the King Edward VII's hospital in central London and left at 8.49am on Christmas Eve.
He got into a car in a secluded street behind the hospital and was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Philip waved at a nurse as he was escorted to the car but did not respond to photographers as he was driven away from the private hospital.
Multiple police stood guard around the hospital as well as royal protection officers.
It is thought he will now be travelling to Sandringham to spend Christmas with the Queen.
The Queen is set to say 2019 was a "bumpy" year before stressing the importance of reconciliation in her annual Christmas message, in what will be seen as a nod to political and personal turmoil of the past 12 months.
Queen speaks of 'quite bumpy' year in annual Christmas message
A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "The Duke of Edinburgh has today left hospital after being discharged by his doctor and is now back at Sandringham.
"His Royal Highness would like to thank everyone who sent their good wishes."
