Prince Philip moved back to private hospital after surgery for heart condition

Duke of Edinburgh expected to receive treatment at King Edward VII for a number of days

An ambulance believed to carry Britain's Prince Philip leaves St Bartholomew's Hospital for King Edward VII's Hospital in London. Reuters

The Duke of Edinburgh moved hospitals after a successful operation for a heart condition, Buckingham Palace said on Friday.

Prince Philip, 99, was transferred from St Bartholomew's Hospital to the private King Edward VII Hospital in central London, where he was initially admitted as a precaution more than two weeks ago.

Buckingham Palace said he would continue to recover after a procedure for a pre-existing heart condition.

"The Duke is expected to remain in hospital for continuing treatment for a number of days," the palace said.

Prince Philip's current stay in hospital is his longest after he was first admitted for an undisclosed infection on February 16.

He was admitted to St Barts – a world leader in cardiovascular care – on Monday where he had tests for his heart condition.

Buckingham Palace said he underwent surgery on Wednesday.

His admission to hospital was not 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".

"We keep our fingers crossed," she said.

Prince Philip, who turns 100 in June, required hospital treatment for bladder infections 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.

This hospital stay comes during a difficult week for the royal family, as tensions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are laid bare before the couple's interview with Oprah Winfrey to be broadcast on Sunday.

The Duchess accused Buckingham Palace of "perpetuating falsehoods" about her and Prince Harry.

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

Prince Philip retired from royal duties in 2017 and is rarely seen in public. However, he remains patriarch of the family and is known to give advice to the queen.