Duke of Edinburgh admitted to Harley Street hospital for exploratory abdomen operation just four days before his 92nd birthday

Prince Philip, 91, will be treated at London Clinic on Harley Street
He was pictured with Queen hours earlier at a Palace garden party
Duke of Edinburgh due to celebrate his 92nd birthday next Monday
Prime Minister David Cameron: 'I hope the Duke has a swift recovery'

PUBLISHED: 19:40, 6 June 2013 | UPDATED: 20:40, 6 June 2013

Prince Philip: The Duke of Edinburgh attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace today

The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to hospital for an exploratory operation on his abdomen, Buckingham Palace said tonight.

Prince Philip is expected to remain at the London Clinic on Harley Street for up to two weeks.

His admission to hospital came shortly after he attended a Palace garden party this afternoon.

The Duke, who is 92 next Monday, had missed an engagement at the palace on Monday night because he was feeling 'under the weather'.

A Palace spokesman said: 'His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has been admitted to the London Clinic for an exploratory operation following abdominal investigations. He is expected to stay in hospital for up to two weeks.'

Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Sir John Peace attended today's garden party where he said 91-year-old Philip had been 'telling jokes' - but he would not divulge what they were about.

Speaking of meeting the Queen at the event, he said: 'It was wonderful to see the Duke of Edinburgh with her.'

A Palace spokesman said that the planned admission came after this afternoon's garden party.

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Hot day: The Duke exchanged words with the Queen in the afternoon heat during the Palace garden party

Together: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive to attend a garden party earlier today at the Palace

The operation will take place tomorrow, after the investigations that were carried out over the past week. The Prince's illness earlier this week is not thought to be connected to tonight's admission.

She added: 'He is in very good health. He felt unwell on Monday and missed an engagement but that was down to the fact he had temporarily lost his voice.'

The Queen will still perform her engagements as planned tomorrow, which include a visit to the new BBC studios in central London.

The Queen and Philip had appeared together on the steps of Buckingham Palace at 4pm this afternoon, when the National Anthem was played to mark the start of the garden party.

All smiles: The Queen presents the Duke with New Zealand's highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, in the presence of Sir Lockwood Smith, High Commissioner for New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace today

Treatment: The London Clinic on Harley Street in central London, where Prince Philip has been admitted

DUKE EXPECTED TO UNDERGO KEYHOLE SURGERY, GP SAYS

With a two week stay, it's likely the Duke Of Edinburgh will undergo a series of tests.

GP Dr Arun Ghosh told MailOnline tonight that an exploratory operation of the abdomen would usually suggest a laparoscopy - keyhole surgery to access and examine the inside of the abdomen and pelvis.

This provides a much more detailed view of what is going on inside the body than techniques such as ultrasound.

A laparoscopy is not used to diagnose cancer.
The procedure is often used to investigate what appears to be an obstruction, most commonly a twisted bowel, where the natural shape of the intestines has changed or a section of the intestines has overlapped. It is a condition more common with age.

The Duke of Edinburgh's latest bout of ill health comes after a series of recent health complications.

He was taken into hospital in Aberdeen in August after being admitted with a recurrence of the bladder infection he suffered in June.

The Duke spent almost a week in the King Edward VII Hospital in London after falling ill with the infection during the Diamond Jubilee. It was the third time in nine months the Duke has been in hospital.

In 2011, he spent Christmas at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge after suffering chest pains at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
He underwent surgery for a blocked coronary artery, for which he had a stent fitted.

Despite the fierce sun, with temperatures at 22C, the Duke appeared relaxed and happily chatted to guests as he walked around the garden, giving no indication of his imminent admission.

Prime Minister David Cameron sent Philip his good wishes, saying on Twitter: 'My best wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh who is in hospital tonight. I hope he has a swift recovery.'

Other than Monday's cancellation, Philip had carried out this week's engagements as planned and today showed no sign of discomfort as he laughed and joked with guests.

Philip was at the Queen's side at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday for the 60th anniversary of her coronation and yesterday toured a Victorian steamship, the SS Robin, in London's East End.

Earlier today, the Queen invested Philip with New Zealand's highest honour, making him an additional member of the Order of New Zealand to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The presentation took place at the Palace ahead of the party. The Queen is the Order's sovereign and additional members are appointed to commemorate important royal, state or national occasions. Philip's citation lists numerous military posts, patronages and honours associated with New Zealand.

They range from his Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award, established in New Zealand in 1963, which encourages and motivates youngsters to become involved in a programme of self-development activities, to his patronage of organisations like the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Tonight police officers stood guard outside the hospital where Philip is to undergo the operation tomorrow.

VIDEO: Duke of Edinburgh happy at Garden Party. 6 June

Busy week for Duke who joined Queen for 60th anniversary of...

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Thursday, 6 June 2013