Boundless energy: Despite recent ill-health, most of Prince Philip's ailments have been sports-related (and he's STILL carriage racing at 95)

  • Philip suffered injuries while playing polo and carriage driving in decades past
  • He still enjoys active life now despite recent ailments including urinary infection 
  • In 2011 he was airlifted to hospital and had surgery for blocked coronary artery
  • Last December the Duke and the Queen both came down with heavy colds

By Mark Duell for MailOnline and Rebecca English for the Daily Mail

Published: 06:19 EDT, 4 May 2017 | Updated: 06:42 EDT, 4 May 2017

For the majority of his 95 years, Prince Philip has been notable for his robust constitution, and most of the ailments that have troubled him have been sports-related or accidental.

Not to be cowed by his ill health in recent years, he still enjoys an active life and continues with his carriage driving, which he took up in 1971 after retiring from polo.

In 1961, the Duke broke a bone in his left ankle in a collision on the polo field.

Prince Phillip leaves Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after spending over five days there being treated for a bladder infection in August 2012

Prince Phillip leaves Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after spending over five days there being treated for a bladder infection in August 2012

Three years later, he was X-rayed after pulling a ligament in his left shoulder in a fall from his polo pony.

Polo also left him suffering from arthritis in his right wrist, a condition made worse by shaking many thousands of hands at official functions.

More recently, in 2004, he was seen with dark glasses and a badly bruised left eye after slipping in the bath and catching the side of his eye with his thumb.

In May 2006, the Duke pulled out of a royal engagement after suffering from a trapped nerve in his neck. 

Not to be cowed by his ill health in recent years, he still enjoys an active life and enjoys carriage driving (pictured in May last year), which he took up in 1971 after retiring from polo

Not to be cowed by his ill health in recent years, he still enjoys an active life and enjoys carriage driving (pictured in May last year), which he took up in 1971 after retiring from polo

After a weekend recovering, he attended the Chelsea Flower Show, appearing none the worse for wear.

In 2008, the Duke was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in London with a chronic chest infection. 

At the time, senior royal sources told the Mail they had quite a job persuading him to seek further treatment after failing to fight off a heavy cold.

The Duke vociferously protested that Dr John Cunningham, the Queen's personal physician, was over-reacting. 

In June 2012, Philip was taken to hospital after developing a urinary infection during the river pageant to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

In June 2012, Philip was taken to hospital after developing a urinary infection during the river pageant to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

But after battling the infection for several days, he finally accepted the doctor's advice.

'Typically, the Duke grumbled and complained,' said a source. 'He did not want to go in. He really isn't the best kind of patient.'

Not a single member of his family paid him a visit during his three-night stay, although aides said that it was just the way he liked it. 

'The Duke cannot bear anyone making a fuss. It would have been the last thing he wanted,' said one.

Philip waves as he leaves the London Clinic in June 2013, ten days after undergoing exploratory surgery on his abdomen

Philip waves as he leaves the London Clinic in June 2013, ten days after undergoing exploratory surgery on his abdomen

Also in 2008, Buckingham Palace took the unusual step of speaking out to deny a newspaper report that the Duke had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The newspaper involved later apologised, saying it accepted the story was untrue.

In January 2009, 87-year-old Philip missed a string of engagements with a bad back after pulling a muscle while carriage driving.

And in 2009 he was forced to cancel several engagements after suffering a strained back – while carriage-driving again – which left him in 'excruciating pain'.

Yet aides have previously admitted it was difficult to persuade Philip to slow down, with one saying: 'No one would ever dare tell him to take it easy – you might as well take your life in your hands.'

The Duke of Edinburgh talks to schoolchildren at Lord's cricket ground in London yesterday

The Duke of Edinburgh talks to schoolchildren at Lord's cricket ground in London yesterday

In December 2011, the prince was airlifted to hospital from Sandringham two days before Christmas after suffering chest pains, and underwent surgery for a blocked coronary artery.

Just over in six months later in June 2012, Philip was taken to hospital after developing a urinary infection during the river pageant to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

And in June 2013 he had abdominal surgery for an undisclosed condition and spent 11 days in hospital, including his 92nd birthday.

Then, last December, both the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh suddenly cancelled plans to leave London for their festive break in Norfolk after they both came down with heavy colds. Philip turns 96 next month.

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