THE QUEEN’S TOUCHING TRIBUTE TO PHILIP

The Queen recently paid a touching tribute to ill husband Prince Philip by wearing the silver brooch she donned for their engagement 74 years ago.

The 94-year-old monarch, given her coronavirus injection weeks ago, was pictured wearing the special brooch in a video call where she dubbed Covid a “plague”.

Her Majesty first wore the six-petal diamond flower brooch as Princess Elizabeth, aged 21.

Official black and white photos show the future Queen wearing the jewellery next to her husband-to-be for the announcement in July 1947.

It was given to her by the Royal Household for her 21st birthday weeks earlier and is rarely seen.

PHILIP HAS ‘SUCCESSFUL’ HEART SURGERY JUST MONTHS BEFORE 100TH BIRTHDAY

The Duke of Edinburgh has undergone successful heart surgery – just three months before his 100th birthday.

Buckingham Palace said Philip, the nation’s longest-serving consort, had the procedure for his pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Wednesday.

The Palace said the 99-year-old duke will remain in hospital for “treatment, rest and recuperation” for a number of days.

Concern will be heightened for the duke because of his advanced age, with the Duchess of Cornwall saying on Wednesday that Philip was “slightly improving” and adding: “We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

The news was announced amid growing tensions within the royal family ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s controversial televised Oprah interview, with Meghan saying in an extract that she could not be expected to stay silent if The Firm played a part in “perpetuating falsehoods” about her and Harry.

QUEEN’S SPECIAL BROADCAST TO COMMONWEALTH THIS SUNDAY

The Queen will address the Commonwealth in a special TV broadcast on Sunday, March 7.

It’s not known how long the Duke of Edinburgh will remain in hospital for, but the Monarch is still scheduled to share her annual message this weekend.

She will make a rare televised address to mark Commonwealth Day, as the usual church service has been cancelled due to Covid.

And her address is expected to air on BBC One just hours before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all with Oprah Winfrey is aired in the US.

The Queen’s message will be pre-recorded at Windsor Castle then broadcast as part of BBC programme A Celebration for Commonwealth Day.

QUEEN IS ‘KEEPING CALM AND CARRYING ON’

The Queen is “keeping calm and carrying on” while Prince Philip is in hospital.

She has bravely put aside any worries about Prince Philip’s health to fulfil her “duties as head of state”, the Daily Express reports.

Royal correspondent Richard Palmer said: “The Queen spoke by phone with the head of the Army, the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, earlier today.

“Buckingham Palace is sending out the message that she is keeping calm and carrying on with her duties as head of state despite Philip’s illness.”

PHILIP HAS ‘SUCCESSFUL’ HOSPITAL PROCEDURE FOR PRE-EXISTING HEART CONDITION, PALACE SAYS

The Duke of Edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, Buckingham Palace said.

Philip was treated at St Bartholomew’s Hospital on Wednesday.

The Palace said the duke, 99, would remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.

Philip, the nation’s longest-serving consort, has spent 16 nights in hospital – his longest ever stay.

He was moved by ambulance to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London on Monday for testing for a pre-existing heart condition and treatment for an infection.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE RELEASES STATEMENT ON PHILIP HEART OPERATION

A Palace statement said: “The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

“His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.”

BREAKING: PRINCE PHILIP RECOVERING AFTER SUCCESSFUL HEART OPERATION

Philip is recovering in hospital after undergoing a “successful” operation for his pre-existing heart condition.

The Duke of Edinburgh , 99, was transferred to St Bartholomew’s in London on Monday where he will stay until at least the end of the week.

Read more here.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IS ‘SLIGHTLY IMPROVING’ IN HOSPITAL, CAMILLA SAYS

The Duke of Edinburgh is “slightly improving” but he “hurts at moments”, the Duchess of Cornwall has said.

On a visit to south London, Camilla said of her 99-year-old father-in-law: “We keep our fingers crossed.”

Philip, the nation’s longest-serving consort, has spent 15 nights in hospital – his longest ever stay.

He is undergoing testing for a pre-existing heart condition and treatment for an infection after being moved by ambulance to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London on Monday.

The hospital move heightened concerns for the duke, who will turn 100 in June.

CAMILLA SAYS PRINCE PHILIP ‘A BIT BETTER’

The Duke of Edinburgh is “slightly improving” but he “hurts at moments”, the Duchess of Cornwall said yesterday.

Camilla said of her 99-year-old father-in-law: “We keep our fingers crossed.”

Prince Philip, right, has spent 15 nights in hospital — the longest stay of his life.

He is having tests for a pre-existing heart condition and treatment for an infection after being moved by ambulance from King Edward VII’s Hospital to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, in the City of London, on Monday.

The hospital move heightened concerns for the Duke, who will turn 100 in June.

PRINCE PHILIP TOLD EDWARD AND CHARLES HE WAS ‘LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING OUT’

Last week, Prince Edward said he had spoken to his father, Prince Philip, on the phone, who was “looking forward to getting out”.

He told Sky : “As far as I’m aware, well I did speak to them the other day, so he’s a lot better thank you very much indeed, and he’s looking forward to getting out, which is the most positive thing.

“So we keep our fingers crossed.”

Meanwhile, Prince Charles visited his father the weekend before last, looking sombre as he left.

It is understood Charles wanted to visit his father due to his extended hospital stay.

FANS SEND GET WELL MESSAGES AND BALLOONS TO PRINCE PHILIP

Kind-hearted Brits are sending ailing Prince Philip get well messages and balloons while he remains in a specialist cardiac unit.

Pics taken today at St Barts Hospital in London show cops bearing people’s gifts to the 99-year-old royal.

One sweet message decorated with butterflies and flowers was from someone “sending a prayer” his way.

PALACE FURY AT CLAIMS OF SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST HARRY AND MEGHAN

Buckingham Palace is reportedly furious at claims from “disingenuous” Meghan Markle and Prince Harry they unleashed a “calculated smear campaign” against them.

The Times today reported claims the Duchess of Sussex is facing allegations of bullying staff made by one of her closest advisers during her time at Kensington Palace.

The 39-year-old is even said to have snapped “it’s not my job to coddle people” after aides were left in tears and humiliated by her “difficult demands”.

But a spokesperson for the Sussexes denied the claims – instead saying Royal aides had launched a “calculated smear campaign” against Meghan ahead of her interview with Oprah Winfrey. They also claimed The Times was “being used by Buckingham Palace to peddle a wholly false narrative.”

BATTLE ROYAL

Buckingham Palace tonight launched a probe into allegations of bullying by Meghan Markle in the latest explosive twist in the Megxit saga.

In an unprecedented move the Palace released a statement saying “we are very concerned” at claims the Duchess bullied staff.

The bombshell statement said: “We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

“Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.

“The Royal Household has had a Dignity at Work policy in place for a number of years and does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace.”

CAROLE MIDDLETON ‘RESPECTFUL’ OF PRINCE PHILIP

Carole Middleton pulled out of a publicity drive for her business because she didn’t want to be “insensitive” to Prince Philip.

After liaising with Prince William and daughter Kate, she asked publishers of Good Housekeeping magazine not to promote her cover interview because she didn’t want to upset the royals whilst the 99-year-old remains in hospital.

Her decision comes in the wake of mounting criticism for Harry and Meghan who have filmed an explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Whilst their controversial two hour TV special airs on Sunday night, Carole refused extra promotion for her business Party Pieces following the interview which was conducted in January.

PRINCE PHILIP ‘IMPROVING’

Prince Philip is slightly improving and the royal family is keeping its fingers crossed for the hospitalized royal’s recovery, his daughter-in-law Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said Wednesday.

Philip, 99, has been hospitalized since being admitted February 16 to King Edward VIIs Hospital in London, where he was treated for an infection. On Monday, he was transferred to a specialized cardiac care hospital, St. Bartholomews, to undergo further treatment alongside testing and observation for a pre-existing heart condition.

We heard today that hes slightly improving. So thats very good news,” Camilla said during a visit to a coronavirus vaccination center in London. “Well keep our fingers crossed.

ROYAL ROW

A friend of Meghan Markle last night sensationally accused the Palace of racism as the Queen ordered an investigation into claims she bullied staff.

The Duchess is facing allegations of bullying just days before her ‘tell-all’ interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Sources alleged to The Times that Meghan drove two personal assistants out of the household and undermined the confidence of a third.

The 39-year-old is also said to have snapped “it’s not my job to coddle people” after aides were allegedly left in tears and humiliated by her “difficult demands”.

But a friend of the couple told Bazaar.com that Meghan was distressed at the accusations.

CONTINUED

Meghan was pictured during her time as a royal wearing designer labels including Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Prada and Chanel.

Prince Charles eventually picked up Meghan’s wardrobe bill after she married Harry in May 2018.

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace’s bombshell bullying probe will look into claims Meghan left behind “a lot of broken people”.

They include aides described as being “completely destroyed”, it is alleged.

Meghan said she was “saddened” by the claims and strenuously denies them.

OUT OF FASHION – EXCLUSIVE

Meghan Markle clashed with aides after furious rows over freebie designer clothes sent to Kensington Palace, The Sun can reveal.

The palace has launched a fresh investigation into allegations the duchess “bullied” staff when she was a working member of the royal family.

The alleged claims are believed to include rows sparked when the former actress was told by aides that keeping clothes sent by fashion labels was against royal protocol.

Sources say boxes of designer garments were sent to Kensington Palace for Meghan after she was unveiled as Harry’s girlfriend.

One said: “As an actress, it was perfectly acceptable to take freebies sent by fashion chains and designer labels. But Meghan had to be told it was not the done thing when you are a member of the royal family.”

CONTINUED

The bombshell claims come just days before Meghan and Harry, 36, give their “tell-all” interview with Oprah Winfrey on US telly.

Writing for MailOnline, Piers said: “All of this makes shocking reading and if it’s all true, then it makes a complete mockery of Meghan and Harry’s endless victimhood tour.

“It’s too late for Oprah to ask them about it because her interview is in the can.

“Instead, we’ll just hear the Sussexes portray themselves as the bullied victims, not the bullies that it is now claimed they were themselves.

“And we’ll hear Meghan cry that she was silenced, when in fact it’s the alleged victims of her own bullying who have been silenced and had their voice taken away.”

‘BEYOND PARODY’

Piers Morgan has blasted Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s “endless victimhood tour” after bullying claims about the duchess surfaced.

The 55-year-old presenter said the couple need to take their “hypocritical halos” off as they have finally “cracked”.

The Duchess of Sussex, 39, is facing allegations of bullying staff by one of her closest advisers during her time at Kensington Palace.

A source told The Times she drove two personal assistants out of the household and undermined the confidence of a third.

Staff were reportedly bullied and some were even reduced to tears due to difficult demands, but Meghan denies the allegations.

CONTINUED

Last night a source said: “Carole is incredibly proud of her company and all the hard work that goes into it.

“But whilst backing the business, she didn’t want to turn any news into a media circus because she is so respectful and sensitive to Catherine, and the royal family.

“She always gets William’s go-ahead before any interview like this, and he is incredibly supportive.

“But the more the PR machine rolled out in Los Angeles with Meghan and Harry, the more sensitive Carole became.

“She decided she didn’t want to do any PR for the interview – even if it cost her thousands in potential lost marketing.”

‘RESPECTFUL’

Carole Middleton pulled out of a publicity drive for her business because she didn’t want to be “insensitive” to Prince Philip.

After liaising with Prince William and daughter Kate, she asked publishers of Good Housekeeping magazine not to promote her cover interview because she didn’t want to upset the royals whilst the 99-year-old remains in hospital.

Her decision comes in the wake of mounting criticism for Harry and Meghan who have filmed an explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Whilst their controversial two hour TV special airs on Sunday night, Carole refused extra promotion for her business Party Pieces following the interview which was conducted in January.

WHAT HAS PRINCE PHILIP PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN HOSPITAL FOR?

This is not the first time the royal has spent time in hospital, having been admitted for a “precautionary measure” in December 2019.

Prince Philip also underwent a hip replacement operation back in April 2018 – five years after having exploratory surgery on his abdomen.

But the Duke of Edinburgh has been plagued by bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery among other ailments.

He was also taken to hospital following a car crash in January 2019 – but this was only a precaution after walking away unscathed.

CAMILLA SUFFERED NO SIDE EFFECTS FROM COVID JAB

The Duchess of Cornwall has said she suffered no side effects from her Covid-19 jab, and it was painless even though she dislikes needles.

Camilla continued the royal family’s prominent support of the UK’s vaccination rollout as she carried out an official engagement at St Paul’s Church, Croydon, which is being used as a centre for administering the injections.

The duchess also spoke about the Duke of Edinburgh’s health, saying her 99-year-old father-in-law was “slightly improving”.

She said of Philip, who has spent 15 nights in hospital and is undergoing tests for a pre-existing heart condition: “We heard today that he’s slightly improving. So that’s very good news. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

‘PHILIP MADE LIFE DIFFICULT’ FOR BEATRICE AND EUGENIE’

Prince Philip allegedly made “life difficult” for Beatrice and Eugenie with the Fergie royal ban.

He was reportedly so angry upon seeing pictures of the Duchess of York with her lover John Bryan in 1992 that he banned her from events.

Speaking to the Channel 5 documentary, Beatrice and Eugenie: Pampered Princesses?, royal expert Richard Kay said Fergie would not stay in Sandringham House, reports The Express .

Narrator Glynis Barber said: “Fergie was reportedly banished by Prince Philip from family gatherings making life difficult for the princesses.”

Royal expert Wesley Kerr added: “It must have been very hard to understand when they were young girls. Why isn’t mummy allowed in the big house anymore.”