Philip: Great pleasure to be back

The Duke of Edinburgh has carried out his first official engagement in nearly two months, saying it was a "great pleasure to be back in circulation".

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Duke conducts first official engagement in two months

The Duke of Edinburgh said it was a "great pleasure to be back in circulation" after conducting his first official engagement in nearly two months.

Prince Philip, who has been an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh since 1951, handed out medals at the Society to Professor Sir John Cadogan, Professor Michael Ferguson and Sir Ian Wood.

Duke jokes about 'being back in circulation'

The Duke made a spontaneous address to the audience in the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Wolfson Lecture Theatre.

He said he wanted to: "add my congratulations to the medal winners".

Adding: "It's now quite a long list since I've been doing this.

"But it's a great pleasure to be back in circulation again."

Referring to the medal-winners, the Duke joked: "I wish to God I could understand what they'd been doing!"

His comments were greeted with laughter and applause from the audience.

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Prince Philip 'glad to be back in circulation'

The Duke of Edinburgh waves to crowds. Credit: Andrew Milligan /PA Wire

The Duke of Edinburgh said it was a "great pleasure to be back in circulation" on his first official engagement since having surgery in June.

It is the first time he has been seen in public following an operation and period of convalescence.

The Duke of Edinburgh smiles as he hands out the medals. Credit: Andrew Milligan /PA Wire

Philip, 92, handed out medals at the Royal Society of Edinburgh to Professor Sir John Cadogan, Professor Michael Ferguson and Sir Ian Wood

Prince Philip makes first public appearance after illness

Prince Philip has made his first public appearance after he was hospitalised in early June. He is presenting Royal Medals, at The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Prince Philip arriving to present medals in Scotland.

The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the London Clinic on June 6 for pre-arranged exploratory abdominal surgery in June which was carried out the next day.

Duke of Edinburgh had abdominal surgery in June

The Duke of Edinburgh thanked staff as he left the London Clinic.

The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the London Clinic on June 6 for pre-arranged exploratory abdominal surgery in June which was carried out the next day.

He was discharged 11 days later, when he was said to be in "good condition and good spirits", and has been recuperating.

At the time, Buckingham Palace said he planned to take a period of convalescence of around two months.

Duke to return to public duties after operation

Prince Philip left hospital in June after he was admitted for exploratory abdominal surgery. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

The Duke of Edinburgh will carry out his first official engagement in nearly two months today.

It will be the first time he has been seen in public following an operation and period of convalescence.

Philip, 92, will hand out medals at the Royal Society of Edinburgh to Professor Sir John Cadogan, Professor Michael Ferguson and Sir Ian Wood.

The Duke has been an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh since 1951.

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