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Prince Philip, 96, Hospitalized for Hip Surgery

He's missed three appearances in the last ten days. Now the queen's husband is in hospital for a planned surgery.

The health of the Duke of Edinburgh has been much speculated on in the past few days after he missed a succession of public appointments.

Now, it has been revealed that the queen’s 96-year old husband Prince Philip has entered hospital ahead of planned hip surgery tomorrow.

The duke retains an amazingly active physical life for a man of his age, and can still be sometimes spotted driving his own horse-drawn carriage in Windsor Great Park. Indeed, the last time he was seen in public it was while out driving a horse and cart in early March.

Since then, however, he has not been as spry. After he missed three planned appearances in the last ten days, including Easter Sunday celebrations, there was much speculation that his health was seriously failing.

The palace attempted to put those rumors to bed today by announcing that Philip was being admitted for hip surgery.

He is at the King Edward VII hospital in London.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said this afternoon: "His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London this afternoon, for planned surgery on his hip which will take place tomorrow. Further updates will be issued when appropriate."

Philip retired from official duties last summer.

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Tom SykesEuropean Editor at Large

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