Prince Philip in hospital for ‘precautionary’ treatment

Prince Philip talks to his grandson Prince Harry as they leave St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle after the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor, an extended member of the British royal family, to Thomas Kingston in May. (Getty)

The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital as a “precautionary measure,” Buckingham Palace has said.

Prince Philip traveled from the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to the King Edward VII Hospital in London on Friday morning.

In a statement, the palace said it was for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition on the advice of Prince Philip’s doctor.

He was not taken by ambulance and it was a planned admission.

The duke, 98, retired from public life on August 2017.

He spent decades supporting the Queen and attending events for his own charities and organizations.

Since retiring from official solo royal duties, he has appeared in public alongside the Queen and other members of the Royal Family at events and church services.

The duke has not been seen in public since attending Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding in May.

In the statement, the palace said: “The Duke of Edinburgh traveled 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.”

Police guard the entrance to the King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone where Prince Philip walked in as a precautionary measure for pre-existing conditions. (Getty)

The duke walked into the hospital and is expected to remain there for a few days.

It comes as the Queen arrived at her Sandringham Estate on Friday for the start of her Christmas break.

She caught the 10:42 GMT Great Northern service from London’s King’s Cross and was later pictured stepping off the train at King’s Lynn railway station.

Last Christmas, Prince Philip missed the royals’ traditional Christmas Day trip to church but was said to be in good health.

In February, it was announced the duke had given up his driving license. It came after he was involved in a car crash with another vehicle near the Sandringham Estate.

The treatment he has received for various health conditions over the years include being treated for a blocked coronary artery in 2011.

The following year, the prince suffered a bladder infection and was forced to miss the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert.

He was also taken to hospital for an abdomen operation in 2013 and, in 2014, underwent surgery on his right hand.

Last year he had a hip replacement at the same central London hospital that he is now attending. (BBC)