Duke in hospital for ‘precautionary’ stay

The Duke of Edinburgh has missed the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot after being admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure” for treatment for an infection, Buckingham Palace said.

Philip was driven to a private hospitalinlondonontuesday evening, following the advice of a doctor, after becoming ill with an infection arising from a pre-existing condition.

There is likely to be concern for the Duke given his age of 96, but he was out of his hospital bed earlier yesterday and a Palace spokesman said he is in “good spirits”.

The Palace spokesman said: “The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last night, as a precautionary measure, for treatment of an infection 0 The Duke of Edinburgh was taken to hospital arising from a pre-existing condition. Prince Philip is in good spirits and is disappointed to be missing the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot.”

The spokesman added: “Her Majesty is being kept informed and will attend Royal Ascot as planned this afternoon.”

The Prince of Wales took the place of his father and accompanied the Queen to Westminster.