Prince Philip, 99, has successful heart operation as Queen launches astonishing probe into Meghan Markle bullying claims

PRINCE Philip has undergone a "successful" heart operation as the Queen launches a probe into claims Meghan Markle bullied staff.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, was transferred to St Bartholomew's in London on Monday where he will stay until at least the end of the week.

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He is undergoing testing for his pre-existing heart problem at the hospital, which is one of the country’s leading specialist cardiac centres.

Buckingham Palace confirmed today Philip, who is just three months away from his 100th birthday, had an operation and will remain in hospital for a "number of days".

He has so far spent a total of 16 nights being cared for by medics - his longest ever stay in hospital.

A statement said: "The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday underwent a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital.

"His Royal Highness will remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days."

Prince Philip had a stent operation on his heart in 2011. The palace is not commenting on what type of surgery or operation the duke had this time.

The update comes after the Queen launched a bombshell probe following claims Meghan had bullied royal staff.

The investigation will look into allegations made in that Meghan left behind “a lot of broken people”.

This include aides described as being “completely destroyed”, it is alleged.

In an unprecedented move, the Palace released a statement saying they were "very concerned" and "won't tolerate harassment".

Meghan said she was “saddened” by the claims and strenuously denies them.

Philip's health update also comes ahead of grandson Prince Harry's tell-all interview with Megan this weekend.

There have been calls to delay the airing of the chat with Oprah Winfrey, which will air in the UK on Monday, out of respect for Philip.

But a source close to the couple said US network CBS is not believed to have any intention of changing the date.

The insider told PA: "There are a lot of people who are going to talk about this until the programme airs, but the programming and all the rest of it is ultimately up to CBS, we're not involved in that side of things.

"As it stands, I don't think there is any intention from the programme maker to change its air date."

The Queen brushed off the royal fears today as she carried on with business as usual.

She held her weekly audience with Boris Johnson last night and today had a telephone chat with the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston.

Philip was pictured leaving London's King Edward VII clinic in an ambulance on Monday as police guarded his way.

Buckingham Palace previously said the Duke walked into the hospital unaided and received medical attention for an infection.

And in an update last Tuesday, the Palace said: "He is comfortable and responding to treatment but is not expected to leave hospital for several days."

The duke, who will turn 100 on June 10, was vaccinated against coronavirus last month and his infection is not Covid-related.