Prince Philip, 98, is taken to London's King Edward VII Hospital on advice of Royal doctors - just hours before the Queen arrived in Sandringham

  • Duke of Edinburgh taken to hospital to have treatment for pre-existing condition
  • He walked into building in London after travelling from home on Norfolk estate 
  • Duke's admission was planned and he is expected to be at hospital for a few days 
  • It comes as Queen arrives in Norfolk by train to begin her Christmas break today
  • There are fears that Philip may be unable to spend festive period with his family 
  • Philip was last seen at Balmoral in August and with his wife the Queen in May

Prince Philip was today taken 125 miles from Sandringham to the royal family's favoured London hospital after heeding advice from his doctor - raising fears ill health could prevent him spending Christmas with the Queen this year. 

The 98-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was not blue-lighted by ambulance to the King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone and was able to walk into the building unaided this morning, MailOnline understands.

Philip, who splits his time between Windsor and Sandringham since retiring from royal duties in 2017, is receiving treatment for a 'pre-existing condition', Buckingham Palace has said.

The Duke is expected to be in hospital for a few days 'for observation' - and his admission was understood to have been planned - but it is not yet known if he will miss Christmas Day with his wife, children and grandchildren.

The nature of the illness has not been revealed but in 2012 and 2017 he was admitted to hospital with bladder infections. He was last at the King Edward VII Hospital in 2018 for a hip replacement, spending 11 days there.

It came as the Queen put on a brave face as she arrived in King's Lynn by train today before being driven to Sandringham to begin her Christmas break - 24 hours after she delivered her speech outlining Boris Johnson's Brexit plans at the State Opening of Parliament. 

Philip, who famously claims his health is so robust that he's not had flu since the 1970s, travelled the 125 miles from Norfolk to London early this morning. It is not known if Her Majesty went to see him in hospital before travelling to Norfolk by train.

Prince Philip, last pictured on the Balmoral estate (above) on August 14, is in hospital today - raising fears ill health could prevent the 98-year-old spending Christmas with the Queen and the rest of the royal family. He was taken to a London hospital from Sandringham but it is understood to be pre-planned and was not a blue-light ambulance journey

Prince Philip, last pictured on the Balmoral estate (above) on August 14, is in hospital today - raising fears ill health could prevent the 98-year-old spending Christmas with the Queen and the rest of the royal family. He was taken to a London hospital from Sandringham but it is understood to be pre-planned and was not a blue-light ambulance journey

The Queen, pictured arriving in King's Lynn, then made the journey to Sandringham today

The Queen put on a brave face and headed to Norfolk from London for her Christmas break (pictured at Kings Lynn today) despite her husband's admission to hospital. It is not known if she saw him before she left the capital

Police officer guards the entrance to King Edward VII Hospital where the Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted in London

Police officer guards the entrance to King Edward VII Hospital where the Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted in London

The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted on advice of Royal doctors, just hours before the Queen arrived in Sandringham

The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted on advice of Royal doctors, just hours before the Queen arrived in Sandringham

98-year-old Prince Philip's recent health scares and hospital admissions

Prince Philip has boasted excellent health for a 98-year-old and has repeatedly insisted he has not had the flu for more than 40 years.

Not to be cowed by his ill health in recent years, he still enjoys an active life and continues with his carriage driving, which he took up in 1971 after retiring from polo.

In 1961, the Duke broke a bone in his left ankle in a collision on the polo field.

Polo also left him suffering from arthritis in his right wrist, a condition made worse by shaking many thousands of hands at official function.

But in recent years he has struggled a little more with illness. These are the recent, most high-profile cases.

December 2011: The prince is airlifted to hospital from Sandringham two days before Christmas after suffering chest pains, and undergoes surgery for a blocked coronary artery.

June 2012: Philip is taken to hospital after developing a urinary infection during the river pageant to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

June 2013: Philip has abdominal surgery for an undisclosed condition and spends 11 days in hospital, including his 92nd birthday.

December 2016: Both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh suddenly cancel plans to leave London for their festive break in Norfolk after they both come down with heavy colds. 

June 2017: Philip admitted to hospital as "a precautionary measure" for an infection arising from a pre-existing condition, the Palace said

April 2018: The Duke of Edinburgh spends 11 days in hospital following his successful hip replacement

December 20, 2019: Philip, 98, left Sandringham to attend the King Edward VII Hospital in London.

Advertisement

As fears about Prince Philip's health increased, it emerged today:

  • The Duke of Edinburgh's 125 mile journey to London was planned and he will be in the King Edward VII Hospital for several days;
  • Prince Philip has taken the advice of his doctor and is in hospital 'for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition';
  • Despite her husband's admission, his wife the Queen went ahead with her own Christmas plans and travelled from Buckingham Palace to Sandringham;
  • Philip has been admitted for a 'few days' - so could miss Christmas Day with the royal family;  

There are police officers guarding the main entrance to King Edward VII's Hospital in Marylebone, following the Duke of Edinburgh's admittance. 

Further officers are stationed along the street, in front of the hospital adorned with Christmas decorations.

A Buckingham Palace statement said: 'The Duke of Edinburgh travelled from Norfolk this morning to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition.

'The admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness' Doctor'.

The Duke is expected to be in hospital for a few days. He was not taken by ambulance and it was a planned admission.

The announcement was made just before 2pm, shortly after the Queen, who caught the 10.42am Great Northern service from King's Cross station in London, arrived at platform two in King's Lynn at 12.31pm.

The 93-year-old monarch, carrying a black handbag and wearing a salmon pink coat and patterned headscarf, was beginning the first day of her Christmas retreat after carrying out her duties at the State Opening of Parliament on Thursday. 

She stepped from the front carriage of the train onto the platform and smiled. 

The Queen briefly mingled with passengers before she was escorted through a side exit known as the Royal Gate to a waiting Range Rover.

Sandringham, the Queen's private estate in Norfolk, is a 30-minute drive from King's Lynn.

Other members of the royal family will join the couple for part of the festive period but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will spend their son Archie's first Christmas with the Duchess of Sussex's mother, Doria Ragland, probably at their Windsor home.

Events will include the family's traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church. 

The Queen arrives at King's Lynn train station for her Christmas break at Sandringham today

The Queen arrives at King's Lynn train station for her Christmas break at Sandringham today

The Queen, 93, left London King's Cross this morning and travelled by train to King's Lynn

The Queen, 93, left London King's Cross this morning and travelled by train to King's Lynn

The Duke was photographed alongside General Sir Nicholas Carter (left) and General Patrick Sanders (right) on June 21 as part of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles

The Duke was photographed alongside General Sir Nicholas Carter (left) and General Patrick Sanders (right) on June 21 as part of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles

The Queen and Prince Philip were last pictured together at an Order of Merit event at Windsor Castle on May 7. Since he retired from royal duties he has largely been missing from any of his wife's events

The Queen and Prince Philip were last pictured together at an Order of Merit event at Windsor Castle on May 7. Since he retired from royal duties he has largely been missing from any of his wife's events

The Duke of Edinburgh at Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding in Windsor on May 18
The Duke of Edinburgh sits on a carriage during the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May

The Duke of Edinburgh at Lady Gabriella Windsor's wedding in Windsor on May 18 (left) and at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 17 this year (right)

Prince Philip, 96, leaves King Edward VII's Hospital in London after recovering from a hip replacement. He was able to walk to the car and waved to well-wishers

Prince Philip, 96, leaves King Edward VII's Hospital in London after recovering from a hip replacement. He was able to walk to the car and waved to well-wishers

King Edward VII Hospital in London: Royals' favourite where Philip, the Queen, Charles, Kate and the Queen Mother have all been treated - and where Princess Margaret sadly died

King Edward VII became the hospital's first patron in 1901 and it continues to be recognised by the royal family today

King Edward VII became the hospital's first patron in 1901 and it continues to be recognised by the royal family today 

The hospital, which only has 56 beds across its wards, was set up in 1899 to treat former servicemen and the general public as soldiers returned from the Second Boer War.

King Edward VII became the hospital's first patron in 1901 and it continues to be recognised by the royal family today.

In recent years, it has been used by Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cambridge. 

In 1995, the Queen Mother had her right hip replaced during an operation at the hospital. 

The 90-minute operation was carried out at the famous hospital and she had had treatment there before.

Meanwhile, in 2002, Princess Margaret suffered a stroke and died at the hospital at the age of 71.   

Advertisement

As Philip has continued late into his 90s, concerns for his well-being have increased following a number of health scares.

Abdominal surgery, bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery have seen him admitted to hospital on a number of occasions. 

Philip suffers from arthritis in his right wrist, and broke a bone in his ankle playing polo. He also developed synovitis, a rheumatic condition of the tendon in the hand, after a polo fall.

In late 2011, the Duke, then aged 90, was rushed to hospital by helicopter from Sandringham after suffering chest pains as the Royal Family were preparing for Christmas.

In the serious health scare, he was treated for a blocked coronary artery at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire and underwent a minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting, and spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day in hospital.

And in the midst of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 2012, the Duke was forced to miss the majority of the festivities after falling ill with a bladder infection.

The Duke has also made several trips to the King Edward VII's private hospital, in Marylebone, in recent years.

In June 2017, the Duke spent the day at Royal Ascot, where the hot weather meant the dress code in the Royal Enclosure was relaxed for the first time.

That same evening, he was admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital as a precautionary measure, for treatment for an infection arising from a pre-existing condition.

He missed the State Opening of Parliament, with the Prince of Wales stepping in to accompany the Queen, before being discharged after a two-night stay.

In March 2018, he missed the Maundy Thursday service with the Queen because of a problem with his hip and a few days later, in April, Philip was admitted to hospital ahead of a planned hip replacement.

The Duke left hospital 10 days later.

In January this year, Philip was involved in a car crash when the Land Rover Freelander he was driving flipped over after colliding with another car near the Sandringham estate.

The Duke then voluntarily gave up his licence but although he doesn't drive on public roads he has been seen pootling around the Queen's estates.  

The Queen's arrival at Sandringham on a Friday is a change from recent years when she has tended to travel on a Thursday. 

The Queen, pictured arriving in King's Lynn, was spotted doing paperwork on the train journey

The Queen, pictured arriving in King's Lynn, was spotted doing paperwork on the train journey

The monarch brought a splash of colour to a grey day in her pretty rose-coloured ensemble as she arrived in King's Lynn
The Queen will be joined by her family for Christmas next week

The monarch wore a pretty rose-coloured ensemble as she arrived in King's Lynn today

Police officers guard the entrance to King Edward VII Hospital where Prince Philip was admitted

Police officers guard the entrance to King Edward VII Hospital where Prince Philip was admitted

A police officer stands outside the King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Friday afternoon

A police officer stands outside the King Edward VII's Hospital in London on Friday afternoon

National and International media gather outside King Edward VII Hospital where Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted

National and International media gather outside King Edward VII Hospital where Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted

Passenger Monika Saganowska, 25, who boarded the train at Watlington, the stop before King's Lynn, said she was unaware the Queen was on board until she arrived at King's Lynn and saw police on the platform.

She said it was 'quite exciting' to discover that the Queen had been on the service, and she was surprised to learn that the monarch had taken public transport.

'I think it's great actually,' said Ms Saganowska. 'I always thought she would have some kind of a private train or at least a carriage or something, but I didn't know that she was taking the public train which I think is great.'

The Queen will be joined by other members of the royal family for part of the festive period.

Events will the family's traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh laugh in March 2015 during a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade for the President of Mexico and First Lady on a state visit

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh laugh in March 2015 during a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade for the President of Mexico and First Lady on a state visit

The Duke travelled to King Edward VII Hospital in London's Marylebone (pictured today)

Police outside King Edward VII Hospital in London today where the Duke has been admitted.

Police outside King Edward VII Hospital in London today where the Duke has been admitted.

Police and hospital personnel outside King Edward VII's Hospital in London, as the Duke of Edinburgh has travelled from Norfolk to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition

Police and hospital personnel outside King Edward VII's Hospital in London, as the Duke of Edinburgh has travelled from Norfolk to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition

Philip, who splits his time between Windsor and Sandringham since retiring from royal duties in 2017, is receiving treatment for a 'pre-existing condition'

Philip, who splits his time between Windsor and Sandringham since retiring from royal duties in 2017, is receiving treatment for a 'pre-existing condition'

Prince George and Princess Charlotte could attend the service for the first time this year, according to reports.

However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be absent, instead opting to spend their first Christmas as parents with the Duchess's mother Doria Ragland.

Reports have suggested that the Duke of York, who has had a tumultuous end to the year after his disastrous appearance on the BBC's Newsnight programme, may join the Queen at church.

His attempt to explain his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein backfired and he was heavily criticised for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein's victims and remorse over his friendship with the disgraced financier.

Andrew attended the Queen's pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace earlier this week.

In recent years the Queen has been driven by chauffeur to the church on December 25 while other family members walk the short distance from Sandringham House to join her.

Duke of Edinburgh's appearances and health since retirement

The Duke of Edinburgh has travelled to King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition, Buckingham Palace confirmed today. Here is a timeline of Philip's appearances and health since his retirement from public life in August 2017:

  • May 4 2017 - Buckingham Palace announces the duke is to retire. Tributes are paid to his years of royal duty.
  • May 10 and May 17 - Days later, Philip, then 95, is out and about carriage-driving at Windsor and at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
  • June 10 - The duke celebrates his 96th birthday.
  • June 13 - The Queen and Philip visit Slough railway station in Berkshire to mark the 175th anniversary of the first rail journey by a monarch.
  • June 17 - The duke helps the Queen mark her official 91st birthday at the annual Trooping the Colour parade.
  • June 20 - Philip spends the day at Royal Ascot, where temperatures are so sweltering that the dress code in the Royal Enclosure is relaxed for the first time. But that evening, he is admitted to King Edward VII's Hospital in London as a precautionary measure, for treatment for an infection arising from a pre-existing condition.
  • June 21 - The duke misses the State Opening of Parliament. The Prince of Wales steps in to accompany the Queen.
  • June 22 - Philip is discharged from hospital after a two-night stay.
  • June 25 - In his first public outing since being in hospital, the duke drives himself to the Royal Windsor Cup Final at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park.
  • August 2 - On his final official engagement as he retires from public duties, Philip strides with ease around the forecourt of Buckingham Palace in the pouring rain, meeting Royal Marines.
  • November 11 -The duke makes an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall for the Festival of Remembrance.
  • November 12 - Philip joins the Queen as she watches from a balcony for the first time rather than laying a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Concerns are expressed for his health when he appears to lean against a pillar for support while standing during the Whitehall service.
  • November 20 - A week later, the duke is carriage driving at Windsor on the day of his platinum wedding anniversary, and he and the Queen celebrate in the evening with a party for more than 100 family and friends.
  • December 21 - The Queen and the duke travel by train from London to Norfolk for the start of their traditional Christmas break at Sandringham.
  • December 25 - The duke joins the royals at church, as Prince Harry's bride-to-be, Meghan Markle, spends her first Christmas with the Windsors. Philip attends Sunday church throughout his stay in Sandringham in January and early February.
  • March 22 2018 - Philip reportedly pulls out of a rare engagement with the Queen and Duke of York, marking Andrew's new role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, because he is under the weather.
  • March 29 - He misses the Maundy Thursday service with the Queen because of a problem with his hip.
  • April 1 - The duke is not present at church in Windsor on Easter Sunday.
  • April 3 - Philip is admitted to the King Edward VII's Hospital ahead of a planned operation on his hip.
  • April 4 - The palace says the duke has had a successful hip replacement operation, and is progressing well, but will remain in hospital for several days. 'He is comfortable and in good spirits,' says a spokesman.
  • April 13 - Philip leaves hospital, waving to the media as he is driven away to Windsor Castle to recuperate.
  • May 11 - The duke makes his first public appearance since convalescing after his surgery when he is seen at the wheel of his Land Rover Freelander, chatting to the Queen, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
  • May 19 - Philip walks unaided as he attends the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding in Windsor.
  • June 10 - Philip turns 97.
  • October 11 - Buckingham Palace tweets a photo of the duke meeting the head of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Windsor Castle.
  • October 12 - Philip attends the wedding of his granddaughter Princess Eugenie.
  • November 14 - Philip joins the Queen at a glittering private black-tie party held for the Prince of Wales on his 70th birthday at Buckingham Palace, where the Queen pays tribute to their eldest son on behalf of them both.
  • December 19 - The duke is seen being driven to Buckingham Palace for the Queen's annual Christmas lunch.
  • December 25 - Philip misses the royals' traditional Christmas Day outing to church but is said to be in good health.
  • January 17 2019 - The duke is involved in a car crash when the Land Rover Freelander he is driving flips over after being in collision with another vehicle near the Sandringham estate.
  • January 18 - The duke undergoes a medical following the incident.
  • January 19 - Photographs of the duke emerge driving a Land Rover at Sandringham just two days after the crash, in the pictures he was not wearing a seatbelt.
  • January 24 - ITV News unearth archive interview footage of a man, known only as Mr Coopy, with whom the duke was involved in a collision in 1964 in the village of Holyport in Berkshire.
  • January 27 - The duke writes to Emma Fairweather wishing her a 'speedy recovery from a very distressing experience' following the crash on January 17.
  • February 9 - Buckingham Palace announces the duke has voluntarily surrendered his driving licence 'after careful consideration'.
  • May 7 - Prince Philip makes his first public appearance since the car crash when attending the Order of Merit lunch alongside the Queen at Windsor Castle. 
  • May 18 - Little more than a week later the duke attends the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle alongside other royals including the Queen. 
  • June  21 - The Duke is photographed alongside General Sir Nicholas Carter and General Patrick Sanders on June 21 as part of his role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles
  • December 20 - The duke travels from Norfolk to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition. 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.