The Duke of Edinburgh has been discharged from hospital in “good condition and good spirits” 11 days after he was admitted for exploratory abdominal surgery.
Philip looked relaxed and smiled as he left the London Clinic and walked briskly to a waiting car after saying goodbye to senior staff.
He appears to be making good progress after his operation just over a week ago, and in the last few days has been asking for paperwork from his office.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Duke is in good condition and good spirits. He’ll take a period of convalescence, of approximately two months.
“The duke has expressed his thanks and appreciation to medical staff at the London Clinic and the many members of the public who have sent good wishes.”
Philip has received more than 1,000 cards from well-wishers during his time at the London Clinic.
Wearing a blazer, shirt and tie, the duke looked at ease when he left the hospital and waved before getting into the front seat of his chauffeur-driven vehicle.
He walked out of the hospital clutching a large hardback book, Crucible Of War by American historian Fred Anderson. It runs to almost 1,000 pages and its full title is The Seven Years’ War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766.
Philip appears to like books about history when he took the train home to Sandringham with the Queen at Christmas he was pictured holding The End of Empire, Attila the Hun and the Fall of Rome written by Christopher Kelly.
Over the previous few days he has received numerous visits from his family, including the Queen. After the Prince of Wales saw his father, he said the 92-year-old was “much better”.
The duke was first admitted to the London Clinic on June 6, arriving after attending a Buckingham Palace garden party. The pre-arranged operation was carried out the next day and followed abdominal investigations.
Details of the original symptoms behind Philip’s admission have not been released, but it is thought the procedure did not involve his heart or bladder organs with which the Duke has experienced problems before.
Philip spent his 92nd birthday, last Monday, in hospital but on that day received his first visit from the Queen, who left the hospital smiling.
The duke will initially spend time at Windsor Castle, where the Queen is staying during Royal Ascot week.