PHILIP, 98, BATTLING TO GET BETTER FOR CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY
THE Duke of Edinburgh is battling to be fit enough to return home in time for Christmas at the Queen’s Sandringham estate.
Prince Philip begins his fourth day of treatment and observation for an undisclosed condition at King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London this morning.
Buckingham Palace said it was unlikely there would be an update until he is released from hospital.
His planned admission on Friday to the private hospital, which has been treating members of the Royal Family for decades, was described as a precautionary measure by the Palace. It said the treatment was for a preexisting condition.
Philip, 98, is expected to remain in hospital for a few days but it is not yet clear whether he will have recovered in time to return to Sandringham for Christmas Day.
Royal sources have suggested that his family have no plans to visit him.
In an effort to calm fears for his health, sources had stressed that he was not taken to hospital in an ambulance. But it has since emerged that he was flown from Norfolk in a helicopter.
He is believed to have been driven 12 miles from Wood Farm, the house at Sandringham where he has spent most of his time since his retirement from public life 2½ years ago, to RAF Marham.
There he boarded a royal helicopter for the 45-minute flight. He was well enough to walk into hospital.
Last month the Daily Express revealed that he and the Queen had only seen each other twice since September. But they spoke to each other every day.