It has emerged that the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in London on Thursday by helicopter where he was admitted to the Edward VII Hospital.

Initial reports suggested that the 98-year-old made the journey from Norfolk to London by car, however, it is now understood that Prince Philip was flown to hospital.

Richard Kay of the Daily Mail writes that the manner of the Duke’s hospital admission ‘suggests some degree of urgency.’

In a statement, Buckingham Palace officials stress that Prince Philip’s admittance is due to a ‘pre-existing condition’ and he was not an emergency patient.

A palace statement read: “‘The Duke of Edinburgh travelled from Norfolk this morning to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre-existing condition.

“The admission is a precautionary measure, on the advice of His Royal Highness’s doctor.”

Prince Philip is understood to be in good spirits at the hospital, and walked into the building unaided.

The Duke is expected to remain in hospital for a few days. It is unclear whether he will be discharged in time to spend Christmas at Sandringham with his family.

The Duke’s last major stay in hospital was back in April 2018 when he was admitted for 11 days for a hip replacement.

Prior to this, he spent 11 days in hospital in 2013 for abdominal surgery, and in 2011 had a stent fitted after suffering from chest pains.

The Queen’s husband retired from public life in 2017. He has been rarely seen since, with his last public engagement being in May 2019 when he attended the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor.