At 92 years of age and recovering from abdominal surgery earlier this year, a sprightly Duke of Edinburgh proved age is nothing but a number on his most recent official engagement — visiting the elderly.
Prince Philip, who has spent the summer recuperating after his June surgery, paid a visit to St Michael’s Care Complex in Norfolk having only recently returned to royal duties.
Although he was in fact older than many of the home’s residents, the Queen’s husband showed off his infamous sharp and sometimes shocking sense of humour, recoiling at the sight of a walking frame to prove he was in no rush to take up such aids.
Cracking jokes and chatting to residents and workers, the fiercely independent prince was in fine walk walking around completely unaided.
At one point, he joked about a toddler playing a football-like game and bouncing atop an inflatable ball being knocked to the ground.
“This is dangerous,” he said as he noticed a group of residents softly kicking large inflatable balls to each other in an activity class.
Noticing 22-month-old Ella Crisp who was sitting on one of the balls, the Duke made an aside to her 93-year-old grandmother: “Do you get bonus points if you knock her off?”
Nursing home staff said they were not offended by the Duke’s remarks, but found Philip charming.
“I think the Duke wanted to join in, to be honest. He looks brilliant to his age,” one told the Daily Mail.
During his visit to the care centre, Prince Philip also watched residents playing indoor bowls, and witnessed a dance performance by performers from the Broadland School of Dance.
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