Prince Philip could be in hospital for birthday
PRINCE Philip was visited in hospital by his grandsons William and Harry yesterday as he continued to recover from a bladder infection.
The Princes paid a “short private visit” to the Duke of Edinburgh at the King Edward VII Hospital in central London shortly after 4pm.
The visit came as it was revealed the Duke could have to spend his 91st birthday tomorrow still in hospital.
Buckingham Palace said Philip might not be discharged in time for his celebration, despite Prince Andrew’s assurance earlier this week that his father was on the mend.
The Duke was admitted to hospital on Monday after having spent the previous day braving the elements for the Diamond Jubilee Thames River Pageant.
Doctors have suggested the lengthy stay outdoors in heavy rain might have exacerbated his bladder condition.
Earlier this week he was being treated with antibiotics and was said by the Palace to be in good spirits. Philip has also been visited in hospital by the Queen and by Prince Edward and Countess of Wessex and their children Louise and James.
Buckingham Palace said Philip might not be discharged in time for his celebration
The Duke had been planning to celebrate his birthday privately and is not due to attend his next scheduled official engagement until Tuesday when he is planning to accompanying the Queen as she hosts a garden party at her Sandringham Estate to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
The Royal Household hopes the Duke will be by her side at her Norfolk retreat by then. It is also hoped he will be able to accompany the Queen to the East Midlands on Wednesday for a two-day visit as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of Britain.
The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery is expected to fire a salute in London’s Hyde Park to mark Philip’s birthday whether he is out of hospital or not, the Ministry of Defence said.
The salute is fired every year to herald the occasion and the event is open to the public but not customarily attended by members of the Royal Family.
