According to a new book quoted by the tabloid The Mirror this Thursday, October 8, Prince Philip would have skipped the wedding reception of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry because of his health.
On Saturday, May 18, 2019, the eyes of the world were turned to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor. There, Prince Harry left behind the image of the eternal bachelor he had cultivated over the years by saying “yes” for life to the chosen one in his heart, the actress and star of the Suits series, Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex married in the presence of his family, including His Majesty Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. They stayed for a few shots to immortalize this day of love. But according to a new book called Prince Philip Revealed (quoted by the tabloid The Mirror this Thursday, October 8), the Duke of Edinburgh could not stay longer, drying the lunch organized by his wife who followed the ceremony.
According to royal expert Ingrid Seward, Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London the day before the royal wedding to undergo hip replacement surgery. The operation did not break his determination: despite his imposed convalescence, the 99-year-old Duke was ready to do anything to attend the great day of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, setting himself the goal of being able to stand and walk alone.
“Regardless of the success of the operation, elderly patients normally require several weeks of rehabilitation,” recalls Ingrid Seward, “moving around with a cane or crutches (…) Not for Prince Philip,” she says.
Anything for her grandson
No one could have suspected it. For when Prince Philip arrived in Windsor, he walked beside Her Majesty Elizabeth II without a cane or crutch. A feat out of love for his grandson to which his good will was added.
“Although he hates long sermons, he attended Evangelical Bishop Michael Carey’s 14-minute sermon without making a face,” recalls Ingrid Seward. Once the official photos were taken in the Green Room at Windsor Castle, Prince Philip slipped away to continue his convalescence, no doubt happy to have seen one of his grandchildren become a happily married man.