The prince philip he underwent a “successful” medical procedure on Wednesday to treat a heart problem at St. Bartholomew’s hospital in London, where he will continue to be admitted “for several days,” according to a Buckingham Palace spokesman on Thursday. “The Duke of Edinburgh underwent a successful procedure yesterday (Wednesday) to treat a pre-existing heart condition at St. Bartholomew Hospital. His Royal Highness will continue to be admitted to receive treatment, rest and recover for several days, ”said the same official source in a statement released yesterday.

The 99-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth II has been hospitalized for more than two weeks for an infection and a heart problem. Last Monday he had to be transferred from the hospital by ambulance, which stoked fears about his health. The duke was initially admitted to the King Edward VII private hospital on February 16 as a “preventive” measure after being unwell, and before having to be transferred to another center.

Philip of Edinburgh has required medical attention numerous times in recent years, including an emergency coronary operation in 2011 to unblock one of his arteries.

While details about the status of the British monarch’s consort are dripping, the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, revealed on Wednesday that her father-in-law is “slightly improving”, although the royal family is “fingers crossed”.

Some statements that, despite the improvement of the Duke of Edinburgh, have set off alarms in the United Kingdom. For a long time the newspapers have been explaining the “Operation Fourth Bridge”, the secret code that establishes the protocol and the procedures that would be activated if, at some point, the outcome occurs. As the British press explains, royals ensure a strict plan to manage every step, from funeral to burial, in the event of death.

Former Palace Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter explained to Globe Live Media UK that the reference to the bridge has a meaning, “the passage of life to the afterlife”, and that all royals are heavily involved in planning and rehearsal of their own funerals: “The code ‘bridges’ has been around for decades … all royals know the term and all royals sign their funeral paperwork”. In Prince Philip’s case, the “Fourth Bridge” refers to a UNSECO bridge in Edinburgh.

An intimate funeral

When the Duke of Edinburgh passes away, one of the first people to be alerted would be the Lord Chamberlain, who is the highest ranking official in the British Royal Household, and would receive instructions from the Queen on her specific demands regarding the announcement of death: this announcement would be made by Buckingham Palace and the first to receive the news would be the Press Association and the BBC. If Prince Philip died during the day, the media would be notified shortly thereafter, but if he died during the night, the announcement would be delayed until 8 a.m. the next day.

When a high-ranking royal, such as the Queen, her husband or Prince Charles, passes away, England instantly enters the a period of national mourning that lasts between 12 and 14 days. During this period, all flags must be lowered to half-staff and no affairs of state are conducted. In the same way and as a sign of respect, all communicators, television presenters and personalities wear black.

As the queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh is entitled to a full state funeral, similar to that of Princess Diana in 1997, and that of the Queen Mother in 2002. However, The New Daily reveals, the duke would be uncomfortable with the fuss and attention, and would have requested a more discreet and intimate funeral. Rather than “lying in public” at Westminster Abbey before burial in St George’s Chapel, where attendees can show their condolences, the prince would prefer a private funeral. Only friends, family and heads of state from other Commonwealth countries would be invited.

The military-style funeral would be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, followed by a burial in Frogmore Gardens.

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