Prince Philip Enjoys Driving Alone Near Balmoral Castle At 97 Years Old

Prince Philip enjoys going on drives alone.

On Saturday, the Duke of Edinburgh was spotted enjoying a solo drive near Balmoral Castle. In the photo shared by Hello, Prince Philip looked focused behind the wheel of his Land Rover. He drove around the Sottish countryside.

The duke doesn't usually wear glasses publicly. However, during the sighting, he was sporting a pair of spectacles for the road. Prince Philip also wore a beige jacket to keep himself warm in the chilly Scottish weather.

This isn't the first time that the 97-year-old was seen driving alone. In May, days ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding, Prince Philip was seen driving to the Royal Windsor horse show.

In April, Prince Philip missed a number of royal engagements he was expected to attend. It was only later that the palace announced that the duke was getting a surgery.

"His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London this afternoon, for planned surgery on his hip which will take place tomorrow," the palace said in a statement.

News of the surgery caused some concern as Prince Philip was already in his 90s. However, Scarlett McNally, an orthopedic surgeon, said that one's fitness is more important than age.

"All operations may have complications and some patients are at greater risk. A person's fitness is more important than their chronological age," McNally said. "Surgeons will always take account of these risks in helping patients decide whether they wish to proceed with surgery." Prince Philip's surgery was a success.

In related news, Prince Philip has reportedly not forgiven Prince Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, for her toegate scandal. The two royals are reportedly avoiding each other. Many are concerned that their rift may cause family friction at Princess Eugenie's royal wedding.

According to an insider, the Duchess of York has been afraid of the Duke of Edinburgh from the start. "The person she was most afraid of in the Royal Family was Prince Philip," Allan Starkie said in an unearthed clip of "Fergie: Downfall of the Duchess." "Earlier on in the marriage, he had told her 'now you're a member of the firm you can do anything you want, but you'll always be found out."