A birthday card for Philip: Queen arrives to visit Duke of Edinburgh in hospital on his 92nd birthday as doctors say he is 'progressing according to plan' after operation
- Queen pictured holding a birthday card as she arrived at the London Clinic
- Envelope addressed to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
- The Queen's visit to the hospital lasted about half an hour
- Duke had exploratory abdominal surgery on Friday and is progressing well
- Earl of Wessex visited London Clinic today and left with a smile and a wave
- David Cameron wishes Duke a 'very happy 92nd birthday' on Twitter
- King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired 41-gun salute to mark milestone
By Vanessa Allen, Simon Tomlinson and Becky Evans
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The Queen visited the Duke of Edinburgh in hospital tonight as Buckingham Palace described him as 'comfortable and in good spirits' following the exploratory operation on his abdomen.
Her arrival marked Philip's 92nd birthday, celebrated today, and he was also visited separately by his son the Earl of Wessex this afternoon.
The Queen was pictured holding a birthday card as she was greeted by hospital staff this evening.
The envelope was addressed to HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh.
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The Queen was pictured holding an envelope addressed to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
It was the Queen's first visit to the hospital since Prince Philip was admitted last week
A crowd gathered at the London Clinic as the Queen arrived at about 7pm on Monday
The Queen smiled as she was greeted by staff during the visit to the London Clinic on the Duke's 92nd birthday
The Duke is progressing well following his operation on Friday.
Once out of hospital will spend two months convalescing, said the Palace.
The Queen arrived shortly before 7pm at the London Clinic where her husband is being treated.
Prince Philip, pictured last week before his operation, marked his 92nd birthday in hospital today
In a short statement the Palace said: 'His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh is progressing according to plans at this early stage. He is comfortable and in good spirits.
'He will remain in hospital for up to two weeks, and it is expected he will then be taking a period of convalescence of approximately two months.'
The Palace confirmed the Prince is due to resume public engagements in the autumn.
The Queen left at about 7.30pm after a half an hour visit.
Prince Edward was the first member of the Royal Family to visit the Duke and said he was doing 'well' after his visit.
His visit lasted 20 minutes and as he left he was asked by the waiting press how his father was and replied: 'Well, thank you'.
The Duke has already received the good wishes of the Prime Minister on his birthday and gun salutes have been fired across the UK to mark the milestone.
David Cameron took to Twitter to send a birthday message to Philip: 'Wishing the Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 92nd birthday as he recovers in hospital today.'
All's well! Prince Edward waves to onlookers as he leaves the London Clinic after visiting his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, to wish him a happy 92nd birthday while he recuperates from an abdominal operation
Good son: Prince Edward arrives at the London Clinic to visit his father Prince Philip on his 92nd birthday
Welcome party: A member of staff greeted the Earl as he stepped from the vehicle and she curtseyed to the royal before walking into the building with him
Prince Edward arrived at the central London hospital in a Land Rover Discovery shortly after 3.30pm.
A member of staff greeted the Earl as he stepped from the vehicle and she curtseyed to the royal before walking into the building with him.
The police presence around the hospital increased ahead of Edward's arrival and broadcasters and photographers sprung into action to capture the moment.
Following the Duke's operation on Friday, Buckingham Palace said he was 'progressing satisfactorily' and was 'comfortable', but has not released any further updates.
Edward's visit indicates the Duke is well enough to see callers but he did not stay long, leaving after 20 minutes.
Prince Philip had been too tired to accept visits but the Queen's arrival is a good sign of his recovery.
Prince Charles and Camilla were at Birkhall, their private residence at Balmoral.
Bringing cheer: A man delivers flowers and birthday balloons to the London Clinic, where the Duke of Edinburgh is recuperating following an operation on his abdomen
'Doing well': The Duke was admitted to the London Clinic for the pre-arranged operation on Thursday evening, following a garden party at the Palace that day
Gun salutes were fired today to mark his birthday.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun royal salute at noon to mark Philip’s birthday.
The Palace has not revealed what prompted the exploratory surgery but sources said doctors ‘picked something up’ during a routine health check.
The Duke was then admitted to the London Clinic ahead of Friday's pre-arranged operation on Thursday night, following a garden party at the Palace that day.
The surgery, known as a laparotomy, was performed on Friday under general anaesthetic.
He was visited by the royal doctor, Professor John Cunningham, on Saturday and the results of the operation are expected later this week.
Royal honour: King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fire a 41-gun salute in Green Park to celebrate the 92nd birthday of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in London today
Marking milestone: The 41-gun salute took place in Green Park at noon, followed an hour later by a 62-round salute by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London
The Duke has yet to receive a visit from the Queen at the London Clinic where he had an abdominal operation
The Duke is likely to remain in hospital for up to two weeks in total while he recovers.
Royal-watchers said it was not unusual for members of the Royal Family not to visit the duke in hospital, because he disliked ‘fuss’.
The duke’s latest admission is the fourth time in 18 months that he has needed hospital treatment.
In 2008 he was admitted for four days with a chest infection but refused to receive any well-wishers, instead catching up on his paperwork.
His eldest grandson Peter Phillips said last week that the family was kept informed but added: ‘He’s one of those people who wouldn’t want you to stop just because he’s gone into hospital.’
The Queen has continued with her royal engagements and visited the BBC Broadcasting House on Friday
Last August he was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to be treated for a recurrence of a bladder infection while staying with the Queen at Balmoral.
He was in hospital for six days and was not visited by any members of the Royal Family, following doctors’ orders for the elderly Duke to rest.
Two months earlier he spent five days convalescing at London’s Edward VII hospital after being taken ill following the Diamond Jubilee pageant along the River Thames.
And in 2011 he spent Christmas in hospital after he was rushed to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge with chest pains on December 23. He underwent an operation to clear a blocked artery.
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I love the 'Keep calm birthday boy' balloon. LOL
- TJ , Out and About, 11/6/2013 08:41
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