Prince Philip is recovering in hospital after undergoing successful heart surgery, Buckingham Palace has announced. The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, underwent surgery at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Wednesday (3 March) for his pre-existing heart condition. ‘Successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition’ Buckingham Palace said the duke will now remain in hospital for “treatment, rest and recuperation” for a number of days. He was initially admitted to King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London on 16 February after becoming unwell, and was moved by ambulance to St Bartholomew’s on Monday (1 March). Four days after his admission the King Edward’s, the duke was visited by his eldest son the Prince of Wales, who made a 200-mile round trip and stayed with his father for around 30 minutes. The duke - who is the nation’s longest-serving consort - has now spent 16 nights in hospital, which is his longest ever stay. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. “His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days”. The Duchess of Cornwall said on Wednesday that the duke was “slightly improving”, adding: “We’ll keep our fingers crossed.” Prince Philip and the Queen, 94, have spent the recent lockdown in Windsor Castle with a small number of household staff, in what has been dubbed as HMS Bubble. The couple received coronavirus vaccines from a household doctor in January.