Prince Philip to remain in hospital into next week

Prince Philip is expected to remain in hospital for "observation and rest" until next week, according to sources.

Prince Philip was admitted to King Edward VII's hospital earlier in the week on Tuesday evening (daytime Wednesday AEDT) after feeling unwell.

Buckingham Palace said the 99-year-old's admission is "a precautionary measure" and is not coronavirus related.

The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen are currently residing at Windsor Castle, amid the third coronavirus lockdown in the UK.

They both recently received their first COVID-19 vaccine, confirmed in a statement from a Buckingham Palace spokesperson.

The duke, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on 10 June, retired from his royal duties in August 2017. He has suffered a number of health issues in recent years, including a hip replacement in 2018.

Planning is apparently underway to celebrate Phillip's 100th birthday. The last royal to reach the milestone was the duke's mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth, in 2000.

Her birthday celebrations included a parade in London, with more than 8000 participants. However, Phillip is not as keen to make a fuss about his big day, with palace sources telling The Telegraph that Philip was "a rather reluctant celebrant".

"You can't do something if someone doesn't want something doing ... He's retired, he's stepped back, he doesn't want the fuss. You can't blame him," they said.

Prince Harry, who reportedly had plans to return to the UK to celebrate his grandfather's birthday, is apparently self-isolating in his California home in case he has to return on short notice if his condition worsens.

"He's stuck in California, the US has increasing COVID rates at the moment and Prince Harry wants to be able to jump on a plane at a moment's notice," royal editor Russell Myers told Today, adding it was "the right thing to do."

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