Prince Philip faces weekend in hospital for 'observation and rest' but in 'good spirits'

by · mirror

Prince Philip will remain in hospital for "observation and rest" over the weekend and into next week - but remains in good spirits, sources have confirmed.

The Duke of Edinburgh had a consultation with his doctor today, who advised him while acting with "an abundance of caution", that he should stay at the King Edwards VII hospital for a few days.

A palace source said: "The Duke remains in good spirits."

The duke, who turns 100 on June 10, is in hospital for an undisclosed reason, although it is not coronavirus-related.

With the country under strict lockdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic visitors would only be allowed inside under exceptional circumstances.

The monarch and the Duke have spent the majority of the past 11 months locked inside Windsor Castle, keeping them safe from the coronavirus disease responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000 Brits.

Police officers and hospital security staff stand at the entrance to the King Edward VII Hospital in London where the Duke of Edinburgh was admitted on Tuesday (Image: PA)
(Image: PA)

Just weeks after the Queen and Prince Philip last month received their first covid-19 vaccination, Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duke’s illness is "not Covid-related”.

It is not known whether his hospital stay is related to a pre-existing condition.

Doctors working for the royal household have been given guarantees that the strictest of precautions are being followed, with all patients tested before admission and in their private rooms.

The monarch and the Duke have spent the majority of the past 11 months locked inside Windsor Castle (Image: REUTERS)

Bosses at the King Edward VII's Hospital, in central London, had long prepared for such an event and already had a well established “open channel” of communication with the royal household, it is understood.

The couple have been staying at Windsor being looked after by a reduced household of around 20 staff dubbed HMS Bubble.

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It has also emerged that Prince Harry is making plans to hastily return to the UK should his grandfather's condition worsen and is being kept "regularly informed" of developments.

The Duke of Sussex has already made arrangements to fly over from the US by private jet and is understood to be self-isolating at home with Meghan and Archie to ensure he can travel straight away.