The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital in London on the advice of his doctor as a precautionary measure relating to a pre-existing condition.
Prince Philip, 98, had been staying on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
In a short statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The Duke of Edinburgh travelled from Norfolk this morning to the King Edward VII hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition. The admission is a precautionary measure on the advice of His Royal Highness’ doctor.”
He is expected to remain in hospital for a few days. Aides said he was not taken by ambulance, and it was a planned admission.
The announcement came as the Queen arrived on Friday morning from London to Sandringham, where members of the royal family traditionally gather for the Christmas festivities.
In 2011, the Duke, then 90, received treatment for a blocked coronary artery. He was taken to Royal Papworth hospital in Cambridgeshire as the royal family gathered for Christmas, after suffering chest pains. He underwent a “minimally invasive” procedure of coronary stenting, involving pushing a balloon into the artery and blowing it up to remove the blockage.
The following year, he missed the Queen’s diamond jubilee concert after being taken to the King Edward VII hospital with a bladder infection. He remained in hospital under observation for several days.
More recently, in June 2017, after a day in sweltering conditions at Royal Ascot, he was admitted to hospital as a precautionary measure for treatment for an infection arising from a pre-existing condition, and was discharged after a two-night stay.
In 2018, he underwent a hip replacement operation.
