Prince Philip has spent 16 nights in hospital after being admitted on February 16. Getty
Prince Philip has spent 16 nights in hospital after being admitted on February 16. Getty
Prince Philip has spent 16 nights in hospital after being admitted on February 16. Getty
Prince Philip has spent 16 nights in hospital after being admitted on February 16. Getty

Duke of Edinburgh undergoes heart surgery


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The Duke of Edinburgh had a successful operation for a heart condition, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

Prince Philip, 99, spent 16 nights in hospital after being admitted on February 16 as a precautionary measure.

He was treated for an infection at King Edward VII's Hospital in London before being taken by ambulance to St Bartholomew's on Monday for heart tests.

Buckingham Palace said the surgery took place on Wednesday.

"The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew's Hospital," it said.

"His royal highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days."

The reason for the duke's initial admission to hospital was not disclosed but it is not believed to be related to coronavirus.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in January.

The queen, 94, is at Windsor Castle in England continuing her official duties by video.

The duke was visited in hospital by his son and heir to the throne Prince Charles.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said on Wednesday that the duke's condition had "slightly improved" but he still "hurts at moments".

A police officer carries a balloon and a message for Prince Philip outside St Bartholomew's Hospital. Reuters
A police officer carries a balloon and a message for Prince Philip outside St Bartholomew's Hospital. Reuters

"We keep our fingers crossed," she told a volunteer during a visit to a Covid-19 vaccination centre.

Prince Philip, who turns 100 in June, required hospital treatment for a bladder infection several times in the past decade.

At Christmas in 2011 he had an operation to clear a blocked artery in his heart after being taken to hospital with chest pains.

The duke's present hospital stay is his longest and comes at a difficult time for the UK royal family, which faces a rift with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, whose tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey will be broadcast in the US on Sunday.

In a second teaser clip of the interview, Meghan Markle accuses Buckingham Palace of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and Prince Harry.

"I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent, if there is an active role that 'The Firm' is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us," she said.

"And if that comes with the risk of losing things ... there's a lot that's been lost already.”

The interview was filmed before aides accused Ms Markle of bullying during her time as a working royal.

In a highly unusual statement about the media reports, Buckingham Palace said it would investigate the claims.

if you go

Getting there

Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.

Staying there

On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.

More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr

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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

THE DEALS

Hamilton $60m x 2 = $120m

Vettel $45m x 2 = $90m

Ricciardo $35m x 2 = $70m

Verstappen $55m x 3 = $165m

Leclerc $20m x 2 = $40m

TOTAL $485m

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets