Philip, 96, to have hip operation today after he misses three appearances in eight days

PRINCE Philip is set to have hip surgery today to try to end weeks of pain.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 96, had missed three appearances in eight days because of problems with the joint.

Sources stressed the royal Family were ‘relaxed’ about the planned operation, but said they all understood how serious it is for a man in his 90s to undergo surgery.

Philip was admitted to the private King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, central London, yesterday. The Queen has remained in Windsor but is being kept fully informed about her husband’s treatment.

The procedure is expected to be performed under general anaesthetic, but aides declined to reveal whether he is to undergo a full hip replacement or surgery on his cartilage. In 1995, the Queen Mother became one of the oldest people in the world to undergo a successful hip replacement at the age of 95.

Philip’s oldest son Prince Charles knew about the planned surgery before he left Britain last weekend for an official visit to Australia to open the Commonwealth Games, it is understood.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge saw the Queen and Prince Philip in Windsor over the weekend and have returned to their Norfolk home.

A source told the Mail the family were ‘relaxed and going about business as usual’.

The hospital admission followed a series of missed public appearances for the duke, although he was pictured driving a carriage in Windsor on March 5, and was seen in Windsor Great Park last week. on March 22 Philip pulled out of an official engagement with the Queen and Prince Andrew because he was said to be unwell.

He had been due to attend a ceremony at Windsor Castle to formally hand over his role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards to his son.

He then missed last week’s Maundy Thursday service and the royal Family’s church service on Easter Sunday, when sources said his hip problem had affected his mobility.

The duke stepped down from public duties last year – which the Buckingham Palace stressed was not health-related – but still accompanies the Queen on some public appearances.

The Palace last night issued a brief statement, saying the prince had been admitted to hospital ‘for planned surgery on his hip’. officials said further updates would be issued ‘when appropriate’.