Prince Philip has been admitted to hospital ahead of planned hip surgery tomorrow

• The Duke of Edinburgh is in hospital ahead of a planned hip operation tomorrow
• Buckingham Palace said that Philip is in the King Edward VII Hospital in London
• He missed his third engagement in 10 days when he pulled out of Easter service

By Ed Riley and Darren Boyle for MailOnline

Published: 16:08 BST, 3 April 2018 | Updated: 18:49 BST, 3 April 2018

Prince Philip has today been admitted to hospital ahead of a planned hip operation that is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

Buckingham Palace said that he was in the King Edward VII Hospital in London before planned surgery on Wednesday. 

It comes after the Duke of Edinburgh missed his third engagement in just 10 days when he pulled out of the Royal's Easter church service on Sunday.

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.

Scroll down for video: 

The last time Prince Philip was photographed when he was seen carriage driving in Windsor on March 5

Police officers were outside Edward VII Hospital in London after the Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to the hospital for planned surgery on his hip on Tuesday 

A police officer was pictured standing guard outside the King Edward VII Hospital in central London on Tuesday 

'Further updates will be issued when appropriate.'

After he missed the service on Sunday it was reported that the 96-year-old, who has officially retired from public duties, decided to miss the annual event because he is suffering from a hip problem.

He also missed the Maundy service last Thursday and an appearance at Windsor Castle the week before. 

Instead the Queen was joined by other members of the royal family on Sunday, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Easter Mattins Service was held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where Prince Harry will marry Meghan Markle in May. 

On March 22 Philip pulled out of an official engagement with the Queen and Duke of York because he was said to feeling 'under the weather.'

He had been due to attend an event at Windsor Castle to mark Andrew's new role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.

It is not believed to be a serious issue for Philip. He was spotted driving in Windsor Great Park last Wednesday. 

The last time he was photographed was on March 5, when he was seen carriage driving, also in Windsor.  

The Queen attended the Easter church service at St George's chapel without Philip on Sunday (left) 

Prince Philip has been admitted to hospital ahead of planned hip surgery tomorrow

Prince Philip carried out his 22,220th - and FINAL - royal public engagement last year

Prince Philip retired from official royal engagements in August last year.

As a former Royal Navy officer, Philip's last public solo event, after more than 65 years championing his own causes and charities, fittingly featured men from the Royal Marines, an integral part of the Navy. 

The Duke of Edinburgh waved warmly to the crowds outside Buckingham Palace, acknowledging their cheers and was described as 'chirpy' by a senior officer. 

Prince Philip (pictured) retired from official royal engagements in August last year

The event marked the end of the 1664 Global Challenge, which recognises 1664, the year the Royal Marines were founded, and has seen marines push themselves to the limit with a series of physical exploits in aid of the Royal Marines Charity. 

At the time, Buckingham Palace stressed the Duke of Edinburgh may decide to attend certain events, alongside the Queen, from time to time.

The Queen's public schedule continues as normal but other members of the Royal Family will step up in support of the monarch in her role as head of state.  

Philip carried out around 22,220 solo engagements, went on 637 foreign trips and gave 5,493 speeches since his first in 1947. 

 

The Duke of Edinburgh stepped down from his public duties last summer but on occasion does attend events with the Queen.

When it was announced last year that he would be retiring from official engagements, Buckingham Palace insisted that the decision was not health-related and he had the full support of the Queen. 

Scarlett McNally, an orthopaedic surgeon and council member of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: 'At this stage we do not know what type of hip operation the Duke of Edinburgh is due to undergo.

'All operations may have complications and some patients are at greater risk. A person's fitness is more important than their chronological age. 

'Surgeons will always take account of these risks in helping patients decide whether they wish to proceed with surgery.

'Hip surgery is very effective at relieving pain and improving mobility, including in older patients. 

'A whole team is involved including anaesthetists and physiotherapists. Performing it on higher risk patients still provides great benefit for the majority.'

King Edward VII is the hospital used by the Royal Family

The private hospital in Westminster treats former servicemen and the general public.  

However, in recent years, it has been used by the Royal Family including 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.

Prince Philip has been admitted to the the King Edward VII Hospital in Central London (pictured here, when Queen Elizabeth II recovered after she was admitted with symptoms of gastroenteritis in 2013)

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

In June last year, the Duke of Edinburgh left the hospital after he was treated for an infection which forced him to miss a royal event.   

He spent two nights at the hospital after suffering from an infection triggered by a 'pre-existing condition'.

The Duke was admitted on the advice of a doctor and the setback forced the Duke to miss the State Opening of Parliament and some of Royal Ascot.   

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