Royal Watch News

Prince Philip discharged from hospital

Aug 20, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Prince Philip

Britain's Prince Philip has been discharged from hospital.

The 91-year-old royal has been released from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, after spending five nights there receiving treatment following the recurrence of a bladder infection.

The Duke of Edinburgh was spotted waving to nurses and doctors, who had lined the front step of the medical facility, as he left the hospital in the front passenger seat of a Range Rover.

Philip - who was admitted to hospital on Wednesday (15.08.12) during his and Queen Elizabeth's annual summer break at Balmoral - has not received any visits during his stay after doctors advised him to rest, but he is believed to have been in regular contact with his family via telephone.

The duke missed a church service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral, yesterday (19.08.12) which was attended by the queen and Prince Charles.

Buckingham Palace described Philip's admittance to hospital as a 'precautionary measure' and he is said to have undergone a series of tests, including heart checks, over the five-day period.

Philip spent five nights in hospital in June with a bladder infection after spending several hours on a ceremonial barge in the wind and rain as part of the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames.

The duke also spent four nights in hospital over the Christmas period last year to have a heart operation to clear a blocked heart artery.

It is not yet known whether Philip - who watched his granddaughter Zara Phillips win an Olympic silver medal late last month - will be able to join the queen for the opening of the London Paralympic Games on August 29.