Diamon Jubilee 2012: Duke ‘in good spirits’ despite missing celebrations

The Duke of Edinburgh is “getting better” and followed yesterday’s events to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on television, his youngest son said after visiting his father in hospital.

Prince Philip, who will turn 91 on Sunday, was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in London on Monday as a precautionary measure after contracting a bladder infection.

Yesterday, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and their two children Louise and James, visited him after attending a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. “He’s in good spirits, he’s on good form,” the Countess said afterwards.

Prince Edward told reporters: “He’s getting better, he just needs some rest.” Asked how the Queen was doing without him, he said: “She’s bearing up but she’s missing him, obviously.”

He added: “Thank you very much for your concern, it’s much appreciated.”

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said the duke will remain in hospital under observation for a few days. He had been due to attend yesterday’s events at the Queen’s side, as he has been on almost every royal occasion over the past 60 years.

The Queen instead sat next to the Prince of Wales during the thanksgiving service.

She was accompanied by Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall as she travelled on an open-top carriage back to the palace yesterday afternoon, .

The Prince of Wales paid tribute to his father on Monday night as he addressed the crowds gathered for the Jubilee concert.

“The only sad thing about this evening is that my father cannot be here with us because unfortunately he’s been taken unwell,” he said.