ROYALSRoyal Resilience: Queen Elizabeth II Handling Sadness 'With Great Dignity' While Husband Prince Philip Remains In Hospital
It's been over a week since Prince Philip was admitted to the hospital for "medical attention for an infection," and Queen Elizabeth II is "leaning on her loved ones for support" during this uncertain time, according to a source.
"It’s a lot to take on. But as usual, Elizabeth is handling the stress and sadness with great dignity," an insider said. "Prince William, Duchess Kate, Duchess Camilla and Prince Charles and Princess Beatrice are rallying around Elizabeth, even Princess Eugenie who has just given birth is checking in."
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The source added: "Prince Charles, in particular, is making a real effort to step up. Elizabeth is the first to admit that he has been her pillar of strength."
Buckingham Palace confirmed that Philip, 99, was admitted to the private King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, London, as a "precautionary measure" in the evening of Tuesday, February 16. As OK! previously reported, he will remain in the hospital for "observation and rest" after "consultation with his doctor."
"The doctor is acting with an abundance of caution," an insider disclosed three days after Philip walked into the hospital unaided. "The Duke remains in good spirits." Philip's illness is not COVID-19 related — he and the Queen received their first dose of the vaccine in early January.
News of Philip's health issues came three days before Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan Markle, 39 — who recently revealed they are expecting their second child together after the Suits alum suffered a miscarriage over the summer — announced that they will not be returning to their senior royal duties at the end of their 12-month "Megxit" review period.
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To say Her Majesty has had a rough past week is an understatement. "The situation with Harry and Meghan has been challenging, and on top of that, she’s distraught over her beloved husband’s health setback," a source said of the Queen. And while the 94-year-old is able to "FaceTime" with Harry and Meghan's son, Archie, "it’s not the same," the insider dished, as she's "desperate to give Archie a huge hug."
Since the couple's bombshell "Megxit" last year, their relationship has reportedly been "strained" with the Queen, who is “urging Harry to return home ASAP to talk things through in person and to see his grandfather,” a source told Us Weekly, who was the first to report that the Queen is leaning on loved ones during this troubling time.
