Prince Philip taken to hospital, Buckingham Palace announces

Duke of Edinburgh ‘expected to remain in hospital for a few days of observation and rest’

The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure” on the advice of his doctor after feeling unwell, Buckingham Palace said.

Prince Philip was taken to the King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Tuesday evening.

In a statement, the palace said: “His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in London, on Tuesday evening.

“The Duke’s admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness’s doctor, after feeling unwell.

“The Duke is expected to remain in hospital for a few days of observation and rest.”

Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were given Covid-19 vaccinations at Windsor Castle in January.

The 94-year-old monarch and her 99-year-old husband have been staying at Windsor Castle during England’s coronavirus lockdown.

The duke retired from public duties in 2017 and has rarely appeared in public since.

He has suffered from several ailments over the years.

In December 2011 he was treated for a blocked coronary artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgshire and a bladder infection in June 2012, forcing him to miss the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

He also underwent exploratory surgery on his abdomen in June 2013 and began using hearing aids by 2014, aged 93.

He later pulled out of a Battle of Jutland anniversary event in June 2016 over a minor ailment which was followed soon after by his retirement from public duty in 2017.

He spent four nights at King Edward Hospital in December 2019, when he was treated for a “pre-existing condition” and later discharged on Christmas Eve. The Duke was then driven to Sandringham to spend Christmas with the Queen.

Downing Street said Boris Johnson sends his best wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh.

A No 10 spokesperson said: “The PM sends his best wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh as he undergoes a few days of rest in hospital.”