Latest news: Prince Philip in hospital with chest infection

Published on Friday 4 April 2008 10:22

THE Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital with a chest infection, Buckingham Palace said today.

A spokeswoman said Philip was taken to the King Edward VII's Hospital in central London for "assessment and treatment for a chest infection".

"His Royal Highness's programme of engagements for the weekend have been cancelled", the spokeswoman added.

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Philip, 86, did not attend a thanksgiving service for Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary on Wednesday because he was taken ill with a cold, Buckingham Palace said.

Today's statement from the Palace said: "The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to the King Edward VII's hospital for assessment and treatment for a chest infection.

"His Royal Highness's programme of engagements for the weekend have been cancelled.

"It is understood that the Prince is sitting up and is working on his correspondence at the private hospital.

Last Thursday, Philip joined the Queen to formally say goodbye to French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife after their State Visit.

As the president and his wife, Carla Bruni, left Windsor Castle by the Sovereign's Entrance, they exchanged handshakes with the Queen and the Duke and a few words were said among the party.

Philip is being treated in the private King Edward VII's Hospital, in Beaumont Street.

Philip had been expected to attend a dinner for Macmillan Cancer Support at the Harte and Garter Hotel in Windsor tonight.

He did not have any engagements scheduled for the rest of the weekend.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said none of his engagements next week have been cancelled.

On Monday he is due to attend two engagements at Windsor Castle, a council meeting and a dinner to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel.

He is scheduled to accompany the Queen to an engagement at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth on Thursday.

Many royals have been treated in the hospital where the Duke of Edinburgh is being cared for.

The Duchess of Cornwall became the latest in a long line of family members to go to the exclusive clinic when she underwent a hysterectomy in March last year.

From the Queen to the late Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother, the hospital has been the first port of call for ailing members of the royal family for many years.

The first time the Queen was admitted to hospital was to the King Edward VII in July 1982 when she had a wisdom tooth extracted.

In 2003, the clinic's surgeons also removed minor – non-cancerous – growths from the Queen's face and operated on her knee.

There are 61 private en-suite air-conditioned rooms, which cost 500 a night.

There are also three operating theatres, a three-bedded critical care unit, a two-bed high dependency unit and a short-stay ward.

Around 180 consultants work at the clinic, along with 241 hospital staff, 137 clinical workers, 84 service support and 20 administrative support.