Britain's Prince Philip has returned to Windsor Castle after almost one-month stay in hospital, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday.

 

Philip, 99, was discharged "following treatment for an infection and a successful procedure for a pre-existing condition", said Buckingham Palace in a statement.

 

The statement expressed thanks to all the medical staff who looked after Philip "and everyone who has sent their good wishes".

 

Local media said this was Philip's longest-ever in hospital -- 28 nights in total.

 

Philip, who turns 100 in June, was treated at two hospitals in London separately for his heart condition and an infection.

 

The exact reason for his initial admission was not disclosed, but it was not related to coronavirus, according to Buckingham Palace.

 

He was first admitted on Feb. 16 as a "precaution" after feeling unwell.

 

Prince Charles visited his father in the hospital last month and spent about 30 minutes together.

 

Philip retired from public duties in 2017 and rarely appears in public. He has been staying with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle since COVID-19 restrictions were first introduced in the country last year.

 

Last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen and Philip had both received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

 

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.