UK’s Prince Philip has ‘exploratory’ surgery

Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 2:07 PM EDT, Fri June 7, 2013
Britain's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, poses in his military dress uniform circa 1990.
Britain's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, poses in his military dress uniform circa 1990.
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Prince Philip was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. His family left Greece in 1922 and settled in Paris after his uncle, King Constantine I, was overthrown.
Prince Philip was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. His family left Greece in 1922 and settled in Paris after his uncle, King Constantine I, was overthrown.
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Prince Philip is dressed for a production of "Macbeth" while attending school in Scotland in July 1935.
Prince Philip is dressed for a production of "Macbeth" while attending school in Scotland in July 1935.
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Prince Philip is the youngest of five children and the only son. After his parents' separation in 1930, he was sent to England and raised there by his maternal grandmother and uncle.
Prince Philip is the youngest of five children and the only son. After his parents' separation in 1930, he was sent to England and raised there by his maternal grandmother and uncle.
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Prince Philip sits with his fiancee, Princess Elizabeth, in July 1947. He had become a naturalized British citizen and a commoner, using the surname Mountbatten, an English translation of his mother's maiden name. He was also an officer of the British Royal Navy and fought in World War II.
Prince Philip sits with his fiancee, Princess Elizabeth, in July 1947. He had become a naturalized British citizen and a commoner, using the surname Mountbatten, an English translation of his mother's maiden name. He was also an officer of the British Royal Navy and fought in World War II.
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Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth married in November 1947.
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth married in November 1947.
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Prince Philip plays in a village cricket match in July 1949.
Prince Philip plays in a village cricket match in July 1949.
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Philip and Elizabeth hold their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in August 1951.
Philip and Elizabeth hold their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in August 1951.
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Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth dance in Ottawa in October 1951.
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth dance in Ottawa in October 1951.
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Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were on a tour of the commonwealth when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. She was next in line for the throne.
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth were on a tour of the commonwealth when her father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952. She was next in line for the throne.
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Prince Philip waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his wife's coronation in June 1953.
Prince Philip waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his wife's coronation in June 1953.
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Prince Philip sails during the Cowes Regatta in August 1962.
Prince Philip sails during the Cowes Regatta in August 1962.
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Prince Philip laughs as the Beatles fight over the Carl Alan Award he presented to the band in March 1964.
Prince Philip laughs as the Beatles fight over the Carl Alan Award he presented to the band in March 1964.
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The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, wave from a Buckingham Palace balcony during a parade in June 1964.
The Queen and Prince Philip, accompanied by sons Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, wave from a Buckingham Palace balcony during a parade in June 1964.
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The royal couple return to Buckingham Palace after a ceremony in June 1965.
The royal couple return to Buckingham Palace after a ceremony in June 1965.
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The Queen and Prince Philip leave Westminster Abbey in April 1966.
The Queen and Prince Philip leave Westminster Abbey in April 1966.
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Prince Philip competes in a bicycle polo match in August 1967.
Prince Philip competes in a bicycle polo match in August 1967.
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Prince Philip paints during the filming of the documentary "Royal Family" in 1969.
Prince Philip paints during the filming of the documentary "Royal Family" in 1969.
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Prince Philip and his daughter, Princess Anne, prepare a barbecue on the Balmoral Castle estate in August 1972.
Prince Philip and his daughter, Princess Anne, prepare a barbecue on the Balmoral Castle estate in August 1972.
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The Queen and Prince Philip attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show in April 1976.
The Queen and Prince Philip attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show in April 1976.
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Prince Philip takes part in the World Carriage Driving Championships in 1980.
Prince Philip takes part in the World Carriage Driving Championships in 1980.
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Prince Phillip fishes in a Scottish loch in 1993.
Prince Phillip fishes in a Scottish loch in 1993.
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Prince Phillip hunts at the Sandringham estate in 1994.
Prince Phillip hunts at the Sandringham estate in 1994.
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Prince Phillip tours the London Stock Exchange in 1998.
Prince Phillip tours the London Stock Exchange in 1998.
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Former South African President Nelson Mandela chats with Prince Philip in November 2000.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela chats with Prince Philip in November 2000.
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Prince Philip rides a mini motorbike at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2005.
Prince Philip rides a mini motorbike at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2005.
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Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Commonwealth Day observance in London in 2011.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Commonwealth Day observance in London in 2011.
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The Queen and Prince Philip attend the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in June 2011.
The Queen and Prince Philip attend the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in June 2011.
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Prince Philip visits Sherborne Abbey during his wife's Diamond Jubilee tour in May 2012.
Prince Philip visits Sherborne Abbey during his wife's Diamond Jubilee tour in May 2012.
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The Queen presents Prince Philip with New Zealand's highest honor, the Order of New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace in June 2013.
The Queen presents Prince Philip with New Zealand's highest honor, the Order of New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace in June 2013.
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Prince Philip visits the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards in February 2014.
Prince Philip visits the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards in February 2014.
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The royal couple arrives at the Royal Ascot horse races in June 2014.
The royal couple arrives at the Royal Ascot horse races in June 2014.
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Prince Philip signs the guest book at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 2014.
Prince Philip signs the guest book at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 2014.
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Prince Philip smiles as he visits an Auxiliary Air Force squadron in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July 2015.
Prince Philip smiles as he visits an Auxiliary Air Force squadron in Edinburgh, Scotland, in July 2015.
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Prince Phillip and his grandson Prince Harry attend the Rugby World Cup final in October 2015.
Prince Phillip and his grandson Prince Harry attend the Rugby World Cup final in October 2015.
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The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests in June 2016, during celebrations for her 90th birthday.
The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests in June 2016, during celebrations for her 90th birthday.
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Prince Philip feeds a banana to an elephant in Dunstable, England, in April 2017.
Prince Philip feeds a banana to an elephant in Dunstable, England, in April 2017.
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Prince Philip talks to schoolchildren in May 2017 during a visit to Lord's cricket ground in London. He opened the venue's new Warner Stand.
Prince Philip talks to schoolchildren in May 2017 during a visit to Lord's cricket ground in London. He opened the venue's new Warner Stand.
Victoria Jones/PA Images/AP
Prince Philip makes his final public appearance before his retirement in August 2017, attending a parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace. The event also marked an end to Philip's 64 years as captain general, the ceremonial leader of the Royal Marines.
Prince Philip makes his final public appearance before his retirement in August 2017, attending a parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace. The event also marked an end to Philip's 64 years as captain general, the ceremonial leader of the Royal Marines.
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This portrait, painted by Ralph Heimans, shows Prince Philip in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle. It was unveiled in December 2017.
This portrait, painted by Ralph Heimans, shows Prince Philip in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle. It was unveiled in December 2017.
Ralph Heimans/Buckingham Palace Handout/PA Wire via Getty Images