Royalty in the News » royal health

Emperor Akihito to Undergo Heart Exam

Megan M — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:30:21 +0000

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His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan is scheduled to undergo heart tests next Saturday. He will be having an angiogram of his coronary arteries after initial tests displayed a restricted blood flow.

News of this exam raises concerns over the 78 year old Emperor’s health. Last November, he was hospitalized for 19 days for bronchial pneumonia.

He also has been treated for prostate cancer, an ulcer and last year, was put on medication after it was discovered that his heart arteries were narrowing.

Akihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum throne in 1989 after the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.

For his birthday interview, Prince Akishino, the Emperor’s second son, brought up the possibility of have a retirement age for the monarchs.

Sources: AFP, Mainichi

Prince Emmanuel Filiberto Defeats Cancer

Megan M — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:57:00 +0000

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Prince Emmanuel Filiberto of Savoy recently revealed he had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his nasal septum.

The Prince – who is a member of Italy’s defunct royal house – noticed changes in his voice late last year. At his wife, Princess Clotilde’s urging, he saw a doctor who diagnosed him with cancer.

Emmanuel Filiberto told Diva e Donna he is now cancer free and is enjoying time with his family.

He also in enjoying making reality shows. After winning the Italian version of Dancing With The Stars in 2009, the Prince is now on another show called The Beginner.

He is very popular in Italy, in a celebrity sense. There is not much chance of the House of Savoy regaining their royal status in Italy these days.

Emmanuel Filiberto is the grandson of the late King Victor Emmanuel III and would be the heir if the monarchy was still around.

Source: Royal News Examiner

Thailand’s King Bhumibol Treated for Abdominal Pain

Megan M — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:56:44 +0000

It was announced during the weekend that Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej was treated for abdominal pain.

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A palace statement said the 84 year old monarch, who is the longest reigning head of state in the world, “experienced some indigestion” Saturday and was breathing faster than normal.

An X-ray showed the King had diverticulitis, a digestive disorder common among the elderly. He was given intravenous antibiotics and reportedly is back to normal.

King Bhumibol has been at Siriraj Hospital since September 2009. He initially went in for lung inflammation and according to the palace, has continued his stay for physical therapy and nourishment.

Source: AP

Prince Philip Rushed to Hospital

Megan M — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:08:45 +0000

It announced not too long ago that Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was rushed to the hospital due to chest pains.

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The 90 year old Prince was taken to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge for “precautionary tests.” The hospital is Great Britain’s main heart and lung transplant center, as well as its largest specialist cardiothoracic facility.

Philip was with the Queen and her family at the Sandringham estate in rural Norfolk for the Christmas celebrations.

BBC reporter Peter Hunt said it was not clear if Philip will stay in overnight.

Former BBC royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, noted how quickly Buckingham Palace informed the public about the Duke’s health.

“Either this is more serious and therefore they felt they really must issue a statement, or they’ve simply moved with the times and it’s going to get out in social media.”

Note: I will keep you informed for the rest of the day about anything new about Prince Philip and his health.

Sources: AP, BBC

UPDATE 6:22pm – Buckingham Palace released a statement saying the Duke of Edinburgh underwent an operation for a blocked coronary artery. It was treated by a coronary stent.

Crown Princess Masako Talks About Disaster Victims, Illness

Megan M — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:14:29 +0000

The wife of the heir to the Japanese throne marks her 48th birthday today. Crown Princess Masako has been seen little over the years due to a stress induced mental illness.

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But this year, she often accompanied husband Crown Prince Naruhito to the areas hit hard by the March earthquake-tsunami and also meet with evacuees. Many wondered if this was the rebirth of Masako.

Yes, says the medical team helping her with her recovery, but not so much.

The doctors said it was “ill-minded” for the media to say the Crown Princess had completely healed.

“We cannot expect a quick recovery as far as the situation is not improved,” they said.

For nearly nine years, Masako has nearly dropped out of public life altogether because of her problems. She has been taking medication and speaks to counselors.

As part of her birthday, she released a statement where she talked about the March disaster.

“I shall deeply bear in my mind feelings of people in the disaster-hit areas and continue to watch over the path to their recovery,” the Crown Princess said, adding that the disaster was “too shocking to put into words”.

Masako also talked about her only child, Princess Aiko, who turned 10 last week. “The issue of Aiko’s school life has taken up a large part of my daily life this year.”

Since last year, Aiko has been accompanied by her mother to Gakushuin school, where she experienced anxiety caused by rowdy schoolboys. But things are getting better for her. “[T]hings seem to be moving in a positive direction,” her mother said.

Source: Kyodo

Emperor Akihito Released from Hospital

Megan M — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:12:15 +0000

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This past Thursday saw the Emperor of Japan be discharged from the University of Tokyo hospital, nearly three weeks after he was admitted for fever, cold and symptoms of bronchitis.

77 year old Emperor Akihito thanked the doctors, nurses and staff who took care of him before being driven to the Palace with Empress Michiko.

His Majesty will not return to royal duties any time soon. He will be resting for about a week.

Grand Steward Shingo Haketa said the Imperial Household Agency “should consider (the emperor’s) health more than ever, but there also are important duties and finding the right balance will be another issue.”

During Akihito’s hospitalization, his son and heir, Crown Prince Naruhito often stood in for him for engagements.

Source: Mainichi Daily

Belgian King Has Skin Cancer Surgery on Nose

Megan M — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:04:48 +0000

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The Belgian royal court announced that King Albert II had surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma on his nose Thursday.

The procedure took place at the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels by Professor Benedict Lengelé.

The court says the surgery went smoothly.

Basal cell carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer which rarely kills the patient. However, it could lead to other types of skin cancer, for example squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Sources: La Monarchie Belge, Wikipedia, Mayo Clinic

Emperor Akihito Remains Hospitalized

Megan M — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:26:50 +0000

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The Emperor of Japan is still being treated at the University of Tokyo Hospital, where he was admitted Sunday for bronchitis.

Akihito is said to now be suffering from a fever as well. Empress Michiko has visited him twice so far, canceling making an appearance at a piano recital Monday.

It is believed the stress of this year’s earthquake and tsunami weakened the Emperor and made him vulnerable to illness.

Stepping in for him is his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito. The 51 year old heir was seen presiding over the annual autumn decorations awards on Monday. Next week, he will make a visit to the Yamanashi Prefecture on behalf of his father and mother.

Emperor Akihito is 77 years old, and will turn 78 next month.

Source: Mainichi Daily Times

Emperor Akihito Hospitalized, Princess Aiko Released

Megan M — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:31:11 +0000

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The Imperial Household Agency of Japan announced Sunday that Emperor Akihito will be hospitalized at the University of Tokyo Hospital.

He was photographed being driven to the hospital with wife Empress Michiko.

The Emperor, age 77, “will be hospitalized from tonight because he has had a persistent fever and begun to show more concerning symptoms of bronchitis,” a spokesman said.

The hospital is the same one where his granddaughter, 9 year old Princess Aiko, was discharged from Saturday. Aiko was treated at the University of Tokyo for pneumonia.

Akihito inherited the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1989 and has been operated for prostate cancer in 2003. This year it was announced he will be taking medication for a slight heart condition.

Source: News.com.au

Princess Aiko Hospitalized

Megan M — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:16:15 +0000

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Japan’s Princess Aiko is currently being hospitalized, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

The IHA released a statement Tuesday saying the 9 year old daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako is suffering from a high fever.

She “was hospitalised Monday for examinations and treatment… as the fever and symptoms such as a cough are continuing,” the statement claimed.

Princess Aiko is the only child of the Crown Princely couple and made headlines worldwide last year when she missed school days due to anxiety from rowdy boys.

Source: AFP