Duke of Edinburgh set to remain in hospital 'over weekend and into next week'
17 February 2021, 14:12 | Updated: 19 February 2021, 22:15
The Duke of Edinburgh is likely to stay in hospital for observation and rest over the weekend and into next week, it is understood.
Prince Philip, aged 99, was taken to London's King Edward VII's Hospital on Tuesday evening, the palace announced on Wednesday afternoon.
His stay is expected to last a few days longer than previously suggested so that he can rest while being observed by doctors.
A royal source said: "Following consultation with his doctor the Duke of Edinburgh is likely to remain in hospital for observation and rest over the weekend and into next week.
"As we have said previously the doctor is acting with an abundance of caution. The Duke remains in good spirits."
The duke, who turns 100 on 10 June, is understood to have travelled to the hospital by car. It was not an emergency admission and the decision was taken with an "abundance" of caution.
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Chris Ship reacts to the Duke of Edinburgh being admitted to hospital
Philip walked into the building unaided and is still understood to be in good spirits. His admission is not coronavirus-related.
He had been feeling unwell for a short period, after which the doctor was called.
The Queen, who along with Prince Philip has received her first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, remains at Windsor.
In a statement on Wednesday, Buckingham Palace said: "His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the King Edward VII's Hospital in London, on Tuesday evening.
"The Duke's admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness's Doctor, after feeling unwell.
"The Duke is expected to remain in hospital for a few days of observation and rest."
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LBC's Matthew Thompson outside King Edward VII Hospital after Duke of Edinburgh is admitted
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The PM sends his best wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh as he undergoes a few days of rest in hospital."
Prince Philip has overcome several ailments in recent years, including being treated for a blocked coronary artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire in December 2011 and a bladder infection in June 2012, which forced him to miss the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
In 2013, he had exploratory surgery on his abdomen and he began using hearing aids by 2014, aged 93.
He later pulled out of a Battle of Jutland anniversary event in June 2016 citing a minor ailment which was followed soon after by his retirement from public duty in 2017.
Philip spent four nights at King Edward Hospital in December 2019, where he was treated for a "pre-existing condition" and was later discharged on Christmas Eve.
The duke was then driven to Sandringham and spent Christmas with the Queen.
A car crash while driving at the age of 97 left him shocked and shaken but miraculously uninjured.
He surrendered his driving licence three weeks later.
