As Jubilee crowds celebrate, Prince Philip is rushed to hospital

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

Philip, 90, was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital in London from Windsor Castle earlier today as a precautionary measure.

He will remain in hospital under observation for a few days, a palace spokeswoman said.

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The news was released just hours before the Diamond Jubilee concert was due to begin in front of Buckingham Palace.

The spokesman said the Queen would still be attending tonight’s concert.

The statement about the Duke’s health said: “HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London this afternoon, from Windsor Castle, as a precautionary measure after developing a bladder infection, which is being assessed and treated.

“Prince Philip will remain in hospital under observation for a few days.

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“He is, understandably, disappointed about missing this evening’s Diamond Jubilee Concert and tomorrow’s engagements.”

In St James’s Park retired teacher Kate Gregory, 62, from Stourbridge in the West Midlands, said: “I feel sorry for the Queen really that it has happened now, because he’s always by her side.

“It is not going to be easy for her. We wish him all the best and hope he is soon better.”

Philip’s absence is likely to overshadow tonight’s concert to a certain degree.

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A host of A-list stars from Stevie Wonder to Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John will perform on a stage close to Buckingham Palace in honour of the Queen’s 60-year reign.

Many members of the Duke’s family will be among the guests, including the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

But the news that the Queen will still attend and take her seat among the other royals is probably a good sign for monarchy fans.

The Duke appeared to be in good spirits yesterday when he joined the rest of his family on the royal barge for the Diamond Jubilee pageant.

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Like the Queen, he stood for most of the 80-minute journey down the Thames and did appear to be in discomfort.

His bladder infection comes after a major health scare over Christmas when he underwent a procedure to clear a blocked coronary artery.

The Duke spent a number of days in hospital after having a stent fitted and appears to have made a good recovery.

He even joked about his health in March while on a Diamond Jubilee visit to a primary school in Harrow, north west London, when he turned down a chance to join a football coaching session, saying his heart was not up to it.