Prince Philip makes first public appearance since hip operation last month

published 11 May 2018

Prince Philip has been pictured out for the very first time since he had a hip replacement operation back in April.

Philip, 96, has been ensconced in his Windsor Castle home with the Queen since leaving hospital in London on 13th April.

But recently, he made a rare trip out to join his wife at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, and watch her horses take part in the display. It's the first time he's been seen since the operation.

The Duke looked to be in great spirits, as he remarkably drove himself around the grounds of Windsor Castle, smiling as he chatted with the Queen, who was outside the car.

He also sported a pair of driving glasses during his jaunt outside the castle, on his way to watch the show.

Prince Philip had an entire hip replacement operation in April, after suffering pain for some months before. As he was discharged from hospital, Buckingham Palace revealed that the operation was successful. His daughter, Princess Anne, also shared that her father was "on good form".

His latest outing is perhaps the strongest indication yet that Prince Philip will in fact attend his grandson Prince Harry's wedding on 19th May.

There had been some doubts over whether he would be well enough to go. Kensington Palace even confessed that they had the highest "hopes" that he would be there, but that given his age and the operation, they could not confirm his attendance.

However, it's likely that if he is now feeling strong enough to drive around, he will make every effort to see his grandson marry Meghan Markle at St. George's Chapel.

Prince Philip was forced to miss the annual Easter mass last month too, which most of the royal family attended.

But luckily, he has been able to meet his new great-grandson, Prince Louis. It's thought that Catherine and William made the trip with their baby son to Windsor Castle, to introduce him to both Prince Philip and the Queen.

It's great to see the Duke in such good spirits after a difficult health battle.

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Amy Hunt is an experienced digital journalist specialising in homes, interiors and hobbies. She began her career working as the features assistant at woman&home magazine, before moving over to the digital side of the brand where she eventually became the Lifestyle Editor up until January 2022. Amy won the Digital Journalist of the Year award at the AOP Awards in 2019 for her work on womanandhome.com.