Britain's Prince Philip, 96, enters hospital for hip surgery

FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday, July 12, 2017, Britain's Prince Philip sits in a carriage in London. Buckingham Palace said in a statement Tuesday, April 3, 2018, that Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip, has been admitted to hospital for a previously scheduled hip surgery, that is expected to be carried out Wednesday. Image Credit: AP Photo/Matt Dunham, FILE

April 03, 2018 - 10:30 AM

LONDON - Queen Elizabeth II's 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, has been admitted to a London hospital for a previously scheduled hip surgery, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday.

The palace said the prince entered the King Edward VII Hospital in the afternoon and would have the surgery Wednesday. It said the hospital admission and surgery were planned.

Officials declined to provide additional details about the surgery and said "further updates will be issued when appropriate."

The prince announced in May that he was retiring from most public duties after decades of royal service. The palace said at the time he had carried out roughly 22,000 solo royal engagements since Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952.

Philip has missed several public events in recent weeks, including an Easter Sunday church service in Windsor. He has been reported to be hobbled by hip pain, but the news of the planned surgery took many by surprise.

The health scare comes at a busy time for the royal family. Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their third child this month, and Prince Harry plans to marry American actress Meghan Markle on May 19 at Windsor Castle.

Philip has sharply reduced the number of charity events he attends since announcing his retirement, but still accompanies the queen on occasion.

Philip has been in generally good health for his age, but he was briefly hospitalized over Christmas in 2011 for angioplasty treatment of a blockage in his coronary arteries. He has suffered from other ailments as well but has not spoken about them in public.

He and Elizabeth celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in November.

The queen has praised her husband for his devotion and long years of service, calling him the rock she depends on.