Philip stays in hospital for the third night

The Duke of Edinburgh was spending a third night in hospital last night as he continued his treatment for a bladder infection.

Prince Philip, 91, was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Wednesday while staying with the Queen during their annual summer break at Balmoral.

An RAF search and rescue helicopter was dispatched to fly him to the hospital but poor visibility and heavy rain meant the crew was unable to reach him.

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The Duke made the journey of almost 50 miles from the castle in the Cairngorms to the city hospital by road in an ambulance.

The Sea King landed four times during the expedition on Wednesday, but could not get close enough.

“The weather was absolutely dreadful,” a source said.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The RAF can confirm that a search and rescue crew from RAF Lossiemouth in Morayshire was asked to assist with the transfer of a patient.

“However, due to poor weather we were unable to assist.”

Doctors advised the Duke to rest yesterday, meaning there were no visits from other members of the Royal Family. He is said to have been in constant contact with his relatives by phone.

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He is expected to remain in hospital for the next few days and is said to be responding well to treatment for the recurrence of the infection he suffered in the summer.

At the hospital, a police presence could be seen outside, with four officers standing guard.

The Duke’s latest health scare came two and a half months after he spent five nights in hospital with a bladder infection following the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames.

Prince Philip also underwent a successful procedure to clear a blocked coronary artery last December and was in hospital for four nights over Christmas.

Before the heart scare he had been fit and apparently healthy, and led the active life of a man of fewer years.

Prince Philip went to Balmoral after attending a number of Olympic events.