Iron Duke with an iron constitution

AT 98, Prince Philip is in better health than many men his age but the Iron Duke has suffered a few scares in recent years.

In January he walked away from a car crash close to the Queen’s Sandringham Estate with barely a scratch on him.

But the experience was understood to have left him badly shaken.

The accident was just weeks after he missed joining the Royal Family at church on Christmas Day due to a heavy cold.

In April 2018, Philip had a hip replacement but amazed medical staff with his swift recovery, walking unaided at Prince Harry’s wedding the following month.

More seriously, Philip was rushed into Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire for emergency heart surgery at Christmas 2011 after suffering a blocked artery, which involved him having a stent fitted. He was also forced to pull out of several key engagements to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 having developed a severe bladder infection.

In 2013 he was admitted to hospital for what palace officials described as ‘exploratory’ abdominal surgery.

He only began to use hearing aids in 201 , aged 93, but is said to have been frustrated by his failing eyesight of late.

Philip is already the longest-serving consort in British history and the oldestserving partner of a reigning monarch.

His good health is in part down to his active lifestyle as a younger man. He has always been a keen sportsman, taking up carriage driving in 1971 when he officially retired from playing polo.

Philip represented Britain at several European and World Championships and continued to compete into his early 80s. He still enjoys the sport recreationally.

In 2010 he escaped major injury in a carriage driving accident, while a female groom half his age was taken to hospital.

Aides have always admitted it is difficult to persuade Philip to slow down and he cannot bear anyone making a fuss.

But he finally announced his retirement from public life in May 2017.

The following month he missed the State Opening of Parliament due to an infection and in August made his last official public engagement at the age of 96.