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UK's Prince Philip has 'exploratory' surgery

By Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

Updated 2:07 PM ET, Fri June 7, 2013

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Britain's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, poses in his military dress uniform circa 1990. See more photos of Philip, the husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Britain's Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, poses in his military dress uniform circa 1990. See more photos of Philip, the husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
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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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Philip and Princess Elizabeth married in November 1947.
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Prince Philip plays in a village cricket match in July 1949.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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 officially became queen in June 1953.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Philip waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after his wife officially became queen in June 1953.
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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip tour the streets of Rome in 1961.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip tour the streets of Rome in 1961.
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Prince Philip sails during the Cowes Regatta in August 1962.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Phillip fishes in a Scottish loch in 1993.
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Prince Phillip hunts at the Sandringham estate in 1994.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Phillip hunts at the Sandringham estate in 1994.
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Prince Phillip tours the London Stock Exchange in 1998.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Former South African President Nelson Mandela chats with Prince Philip in November 2000.
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The Queen and Prince Philip pose for a photo to commemorate her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
The Queen and Prince Philip pose for a photo to commemorate her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
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Prince Philip rides a mini motorbike at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2005.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Philip rides a mini motorbike at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2005.
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Prince Philip inspects a guard in March 2010.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Philip inspects a guard in March 2010.
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Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Commonwealth Day observance in London in 2011.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
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.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Philip feeds a banana to an elephant in Dunstable, England, in April.
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Prince Philip talks to schoolchildren in May during a visit to Lord's cricket ground in London. He opened the venue's new Warner Stand.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Philip talks to schoolchildren in May during a visit to Lord's cricket ground in London. He opened the venue's new Warner Stand.
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Prince Philip makes his final public appearance before his retirement, attending a parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace. The event also marks an end to Philip's 64 years as captain general, the ceremonial leader of the Royal Marines.
Photos: Prince Philip: Decades in public life
Prince Philip makes his final public appearance before his retirement, attending a parade of the Royal Marines at Buckingham Palace. The event also marks an end to Philip's 64 years as captain general, the ceremonial leader of the Royal Marines.
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Story highlights

  • Prince "progressing satisfactorily" after surgery
  • Prince Philip, 91, may be hospitalized for up to two weeks
  • He's been hospitalized several times recently, including for bladder infections
Prince Philip, husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, underwent "exploratory" abdominal surgery Friday at a London hospital, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.
The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the hospital Thursday and is expected to stay there for up to two weeks, according to the palace statement.
He is being treated "following abdominal investigations."
The surgery took place Friday, the palace said. It went as planned, and Philip is "progressing satisfactorily."
The 91-year-old is set to celebrate his birthday Monday.
He had been expected to accompany the queen as she formally opened the British Broadcasting Corporation's rebuilt central London headquarters, Broadcasting House, on Friday.
She toured the broadcaster's main newsroom and radio studios, and made a live appearance on the BBC news.
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The prince showed no signs of illness Thursday at a presentation at Buckingham Palace, according to the Press Association. The news agency reported Philip was joking and laughing with guests at a ceremony where the queen made him a member of the Order of New Zealand.
After the presentation, the queen and Philip hosted a garden party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace as part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the queen's coronation.
He and other members of the royal family also attended a service at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday to mark the anniversary.
Prince Philip: The man behind the queen
Philip left Greece a year after he was born there, following the 1922 overthrow of his uncle King Constantine I. Despite his roots in that country, he has a mixed ancestry and, like his wife, is a great-great-grandchild of Britain's Queen Victoria.
A Royal Navy veteran, he met Elizabeth in 1939 and married her in November 1947. They have four children.
In addition to his royal and military duties, Philip has served as president of the World Wildlife Fund and the International Equestrian Foundation.
Philip has had a number of documented health problems in recent years, including treatment for a blocked coronary artery in December 2011 and a hospitalization in June 2012 for a bladder infection. He was admitted again to a hospital -- this time in Scotland -- for treatment of the latter ailment two months later.