Prince Philip in hospital with bladder infection

The palace said he had been taken to hospital as “a precautionary measure” and would remain under observation for a few days, meaning that he will miss the latter part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

According to Buckingham Palace officials, the Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 91 on Sunday, was taken from Windsor Castle to the King Edward VII hospital in London.

But Prince Philip missed the Jubilee concert and was said to be “disappointed” about not being able to attend.

Sir Paul McCartney, who was closing the show with three songs, wished the Duke well, saying: “I think, you know, we all send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

In December, the Duke was taken to Papworth Hospital after suffering chest pains. He later underwent emergency surgery for a blocked coronary artery, spending Christmas in hospital.

He spent the festive break convalescing at the Queen’s private Sandringham estate after he was successfully treated for a blocked coronary artery on Christmas Eve.

A few days after being discharged, he made an appearance at a church service on New Year’s Day and was applauded by the crowds who had gathered.

His official engagements were scaled down last year as he reached his 90th birthday.

Prior to that, he was beset by an uncharacteristic cold in October that forced him to pull out of an overnight stay in Italy for the launch of the ARC Green Pilgrimage Network.

He had just completed a busy 11-day official royal tour to Australia with the Queen that saw them visit Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.

Commentators billed the long-haul trip as the couple’s last to the continent because of their age, but the Palace dismissed the speculation.