LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Prince Philip, the 91-year-old
husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, left hospital in Scotland
on Monday after a five-night stay during which he had treatment
for a bladder infection.
Smiling and looking sprightly, the prince, wearing a summer
blazer, shook hands and thanked staff at Aberdeen Royal
Infirmary before giving a cheery wave and climbing into a car
with royal aides.
It was the third time in eight months that Philip had been
in hospital and the second time he had had treatment for a
bladder infection.
The previous occasion was in June during celebrations to
mark Elizabeth's 60 years on the throne, after the royal couple
had watched a 1,000-boat flotilla on the River Thames from a
royal barge, braving chilly, rainy weather.
Last Christmas, Philip spent four days in hospital and had
an operation to clear a blocked artery in his heart after
suffering chest pains.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said Philip would now rejoin
the queen for their holiday at Balmoral, the royal family's
Scottish residence. The prince is also expected to resume his
official duties, she said.
(Reporting by Michael Holden, editing by Tim Pearce)