Royal Watch News

Prince Friso shows 'Minimal signs of consciousness'

Nov 21, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Prince Friso

The Netherlands' Prince Friso has showed 'minimal signs of consciousness'.

The royal has been in a coma since a skiing accident when he was buried by an avalanche in Austria eight months ago, and has shown little improvement in his condition since being hospitalised in London until this week.

A statement from the Dutch royal house was guarded, saying only 'it will take many months before there is more clarity' about the prince's chances of recovery, and asking the media 'to continue to respect the privacy of the family'.

Prince Friso - who is thought to have suffered a severe brain injury - briefly woke from his coma in September. Family friend Archbishop Desmond Tutu revealed the prince's wife, Princess Mabel, witnessed a 'miracle' that saw her husband open his eyes and smile at her, before falling back into a coma.

Prince Friso was initially treated at the intensive care unit of the Innsbruck State Hospital after the accident in Austria. He was later transferred to London's Wellington hospital, where he is currently being cared for.

The accident in the resort of Lech saw the Prince trapped under the snow for 25 minutes before being rescued.