Queen attends carols as Duke in ‘good spirits’ stays in hospital

THE Queen appeared in good spirits yesterday as she attended a carol service while the Duke of Edinburgh prepared to spend a third night in hospital.

It was business as usual for the monarch, who looked radiant in a deep green outfit as she arrived at St Mary Magdalene church in Sandringham, Norfolk, with her youngest son, the Earl of Wessex, and his family.

The Queen, 93, waved at well-wishers as she was driven to church for the 50-minute service alongside the Earl, his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and their children, Lady Louise Windsor, 16, and James, Viscount Severn, 12.

The family is understood to be hoping that the Duke will be discharged from hospital before Christmas.

The Duke, 98, was admitted to the private King Edward VII’S hospital in Marylebone, central London, on Friday for pre-planned treatment and observation for a pre-existing condition.

Buckingham Palace said it was “a precautionary measure” on the advice of his doctor and that he was expected to remain in hospital for “a few days”.

The Duke was said to be in good spirits, laughing and joking with hospital staff, while aides have insisted there was “no cause for alarm”.

But it was claimed yesterday that while the Queen was not over concerned about his health, she had postponed her normal routine of visiting the royal stud on the first day of her festive break, and the traditional Saturday pheasant shoot did not take place.

Concerns for the Duke’s health had heightened in recent days after he contracted a bad cold. But no members of the Royal family were expected to visit him in hospital, suggesting that his condition was stable.

The Prince of Wales will today visit victims of the floods in Fishlake, South Yorkshire, before joining the family at Sandringham tomorrow. The Duke of York was also expected to join the festivities in Norfolk.