Image caption The prince left Cowes on the Isle of Wight hours before his admission to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

The Duke of Edinburgh has been taken to hospital as a "precautionary measure" after a recurrence of a bladder infection, Buckingham Palace has said.

Prince Philip, who is 91, was driven by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary while staying at Balmoral with the Queen, a spokesperson said.

The duke originally suffered the infection shortly before the Diamond Jubilee concert on 4 June.

He is likely to remain in the NHS hospital for the next few days.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are at their private residence of Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate, while the Earl and Countess of Wessex are at Balmoral with the Queen, BBC correspondent Peter Hunt says.

At 91 - despite insisting last year he was "sort of winding down" - Prince Philip has maintained a busy schedule in recent months. Last week he was in a jovial mood at a garden party at Balmoral and at the start of this week, he attended the Cowes Regatta on the Isle of Wight. It was after he returned to the Highlands, that the prince began to feel unwell. A doctor was called; and then an ambulance came to take the Queen's husband, by road, to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Buckingham Palace says he has had a recurrence of the bladder infection he had two months ago and he is likely to receive treatment for the next few days. At the height of the main Diamond Jubilee celebrations Philip had his first bladder infection. Asked whether he was better, as he left hospital on that occasion, the prince replied, true to form: "Well I wouldn't be coming out if I wasn't".

It is not known whether other royals are there, but a palace spokesman said it was usual for members of the royal family to be in residence at Balmoral during the summer period.

The duke has been seen at public engagements in Cowes over the last few days.

Michael Dunkason, from Ryde on the Isle of Wight, saw him come ashore from the Galatea to Cowes at about 09:00 BST on Wednesday morning. He said Philip was "steadily walking up the steps and walked briskly along the jetty".

He told the BBC: "The duke seemed in very good spirits and gave a final wave before entering the car."

'New man'

It is the third time Prince Philip has been in hospital in the last nine months: he also spent four days in hospital over Christmas, following an operation to clear a blocked heart artery.

In March, Prince Harry said the operation - which was successful - had given his grandfather a "new spurt of life".

Later, in June, after braving the elements during the Jubilee boat pageant to mark the Queen's 60-year reign, Prince Philip was forced to miss several days of festivities after being admitted to hospital for five nights with the bladder infection.

Since then he has been in apparently good health, joining the Queen at the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics on 27 July, and touring the Olympic Park.

Prince Philip had travelled to Balmoral after viewing a number of Olympic events, including his granddaughter Zara Phillips's equestrian competition on 29 July.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "He has been resident at the castle for a short while, but whilst he has been there, he has also undertaken engagements on the Isle of Wight."

Constant support

Prince Philip's health June 2012 - taken to King Edward VII Hospital, London, with bladder infection

December 2011 - taken to Papworth Hospital, Cambs, with chest pains - coronary stent fitted

October 2011 - pulled out of trip to Italy due to a cold

June 2010 - had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome as a day patient at an undisclosed hospital

January 2009 - pulled out of engagements due to back injury while carriage driving on his Norfolk estate Q&A: Bladder infections

As Admiral and member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the duke has been taking part in Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight this week.

On Tuesday, he watched races in the Solent and accompanied Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White, for a lunch on board a yacht.

The previous day, he also met members of Newport's Chamber of Commerce and visited manufacturers AJ Wells and Sons.

Earlier this month, he was at the Queen's side for engagements in Scotland, helping to host a garden party for around 3,000 guests at Balmoral, marking the end of the Jubilee celebrations.

Prince Philip is the longest-serving royal consort in British royalty.

In the Queen's Jubilee address to Parliament in March, she praised her husband for his devotion.

She said: "During these years as your Queen, the support of my family has, across the generations, been beyond measure.

"Prince Philip is, I believe, well known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout he has been a constant strength and guide."