Philip back
in hospital with bladder infection

Prince Philip was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary while staying with the Queen at her retreat at Balmoral, a spokeswoman said.

In statement the palace said: “The Duke of Edinburgh has had a recurrence of the bladder infection that he had in the summer and has been admitted to hospital for investigation and treatment.

“His Royal Highness is likely to remain there for the next few days.”

The 91-year-old royal made the journey of almost 50 miles from the castle in the Cairngorms to the city hospital by road in an ambulance, the palace said.

Prince Philip’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.

He was forced to miss some of the celebrations for his wife’s 60 years on the throne after he was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in central London the day after braving the elements on a barge for several hours.

He 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 younger years. In March this year his grandson Prince Harry said the operation had given him “a new spurt of life”.

Prince Philip went to Balmoral after attending a number of 
Olympics events. He was at the Queen’s side during the opening ceremony on July 27 and the following day when they toured the Olympic Park.

He then watched his granddaughter Zara Phillips’ Olympic equestrian debut on July 29 and was at the ExCel exhibition centre a few days later to watch boxing.

A royal spokesman said: “He has been resident at the castle for a short while but whilst he has been there, he has also undertaken engagements on the Isle of Wight.”

The Duke appeared to be in good spirits as he took part in events as part of Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight, in his role as Admiral and member of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

He viewed the racing in the Solent before attending a luncheon on board a yacht, the My Farragon, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White.

While in Scotland earlier this month he supported the Queen at engagements.