Queen visits recovering Prince Philip in hospital

Maria Puente | USA TODAY

The royals have started turning up at Prince Philip's hospital room today, as the 92-year-old husband of the queen celebrated his birthday and began a two-month convalescence from abdominal surgery.

Queen Elizabeth II wasn't the first to visit but she was certainly the most important. Looking cheery and smiling radiantly, she arrived at the London Clinic this evening, dressed impeccably as usual in a bouclé skirt suit that was as white as her hair.

Earlier, their youngest son, Prince Edward Earl of Wessex, also paid a visit, spending 20 minutes with dad and telling reporters later that he's doing well.

Meanwhile, as is traditional, Philip's 92nd birthday was marked by two extended gun salutes in central London near Buckingham Palace.

Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the oldest and longest-serving royal consort in English history, went into the hospital last week for "abdominal investigations" and is "progressing satisfactorily" after exploratory surgery on Friday, the palace said.

He is "comfortable and in good spirits," and will need about two months to recover from the surgery, the palace statement added. He's expected to remain in the hospital for about two weeks.

The two-months prediction suggests he won't be making public appearances with the queen during the festival next month celebrating the 60th anniversary of her coronation.

The queen has carried on solo with their engagements, and was overheard saying, on Friday during a visit to the BBC headquarters, that he "isn't ill."

Philip has had several health issues in the last 18 months, including heart and bladder ailments. This is is fourth recent hospitalization.