The Duke of Edinburgh is back to royal duties earlier than expected following two months of recovery after surgery.
Prince Philip, 92, had not been seen in public since early June before he underwent exploratory abdominal surgery and has been convalescing at Sandringham, the Queen’s private estate in Norfolk.
Philip said it was a “great pleasure to be back in circulation”, as he resumed official engagements handing out medals to scientists at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The Duke awarded royal medals for scientists Prof Sir John Cadogan, Prof Michael Ferguson and Sir Ian Wood for their “outstanding contributions” in “scientific excellence”.
He was in high spirits, joking with the scientists as he congratulated them on their achievements.
“I wish to God I could understand what they’d been doing,” he said.
The Duke appeared to have lost some weight but was relaxed and happy throughout the event, and seemed to have recovered completely from his operation.
He was first admitted to the London Clinic on June 6 for abdominal investigations and has not been seen publically for since.
The Duke is now expected to join the Queen in Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands, where she is relaxing for her annual summer break.
It is understood he is yet to meet his great-grandson, Prince George.
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