LONDON: Queen Elizabeth II visited her husband Prince Philip in hospital on Wednesday, where he is recovering from the bladder infection that forced him to miss her final diamond jubilee celebrations.
The queen entered London’s King Edward VII Hospital in London clad in the same lavender jacket she wore earlier for lunch with heads of state and government from across the Commonwealth, an AFP photographer saw.
The royal couple’s third child Prince Andrew entered the hospital half an hour later.
The queen stayed around 50 minutes before leaving the hospital again.
Buckingham Palace said Philip’s condition had “improved considerably” since Monday, but that the outspoken 90-year-old would probably remain in hospital for several days.
Philip, the longest-serving royal consort in British history, has been the queen’s stalwart companion throughout her reign and his absence cast a shadow over Tuesday’s final festivities marking her 60th year on the throne.
“Prince Philip’s condition has improved considerably since coming in to hospital on Monday,” a palace spokesman said.
“His infection continues to be treated with antibiotics. He is likely to remain in hospital over the next few days. He is in good spirits.”
In his absence, the 86-year-old queen attended solo a Commonwealth lunch at the association’s headquarters in London.
Her Prime Ministers David Cameron of Britain, Stephen Harper of Canada and John Key of New Zealand were among the more than 70 guests.
Philip, who turns 91 on Sunday, was taken to hospital just hours before Monday’s spectacular jubilee pop concert at Buckingham Palace, which he had been due to attend with the queen.
The thousands of patriotic revellers at the concert, which featured Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Elton John, chanted “Philip! Philip!” after heir to the throne Prince Charles urged them to show their support.
The queen traveled to Tuesday’s jubilee service at St. Paul’s Cathedral with one of her ladies-in-waiting, and cut a solitary figure as she walked on her own through the landmark church.
Charles and his wife Camilla then accompanied her in her horse-drawn carriage on Tuesday as she waved to cheering crowds of some 1.5 million people who gathered in London to catch a glimpse of her.
The royal couple’s youngest son Prince Edward told reporters outside the hospital on Tuesday that his father was “feeling a lot better” and had been following the jubilee celebrations on television.
When asked how the 86-year-old queen was doing without him, he said: “She’s bearing up but missing him, obviously.”
Philip’s new health scare comes less than six months after he suffered chest pains over the Christmas holidays and was treated for a blocked coronary artery.
The prince has a reputation for off-color jokes, but behind the scenes he is said to be a key support to the monarch.
“He has been a constant strength and guide,” the queen told parliament in March.
