Royal Convalescence

I'm delighted that The Duke of Edinburgh has left hospital this morning, eleven nights after he was admitted for exploratory abdominal surgery.

Prince Philip walked out of the private London Clinic where he had been recovering since His Royal Highness's admission on 6 June, 2013.

Buckingham Palace has previously said the surgery was pre-arranged and not an emergency.

HRH is expected to take about two months to convalesce, having been expected to stay for two weeks, and missed several official royal events during his stay, but is due to resume official duties in the autumn.

As Prince Philip left the clinic he shook hands with staff, then waved and smiled to waiting journalists before getting into a car to be driven to Windsor Castle.

HRH received more than 1,000 cards from well-wishers while at the hospital.

Throughout HRH's stay, family members visited him, including The Queen, and Princes Charles, Edward, William and Harry.