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Alex Livesey / Getty Images
Prince Philip attends the London 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park on July 29.
Updated at 1:50 p.m. ET: LONDON -- Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, has been taken to a Scottish hospital as "a precautionary measure," Buckingham Palace said Wednesday.
The 91-year-old Duke of Edinburgh was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by car, the palace confirmed with NBC News.
According to a palace statement, he has had a recurrence of a bladder infection that led to his hospitalization for five days in June during the jubilee celebrations marking the queen's 60th year on the throne.
Philip is likely to remain in the hospital for the next few days, according to the palace statement.
The 91-year-old Duke of Edinburgh is back in the hospital for a recurrence of a bladder infection and is likely to remain there for several days according to a statement from Buckingham Palace. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
The royal couple had been staying at their castle in Balmoral, Scotland, the palace told NBC.
After Philip's hospitalized in June, Philip later resumed royal duties, attending the opening ceremony of the Olympics on July 27 and carrying out engagements on the Isle of Wight on Monday.
In December last year, Philip had an operation to clear a blocked heart artery and spent Christmas in the hospital.
'Winding down'
Philip is a former naval officer who married the queen in 1947. His health remained robust through his 80s, but he has appeared frailer in recent years.
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Her Majesty celebrates 60 years on the throne.
When he turned 90, he told the British Broadcasting Corp. he was "winding down" his involvement with charities, and he has cut back on official duties. But he still carries out some engagements, both with his wife and on his own.
"I reckon I've done my bit so I want to enjoy myself a bit now, with less responsibility, less frantic rushing about, less preparation, less trying to think of something to say. On top of that your memory's going, I can't remember names and things," he told the BBC.
"It's better to get out before you reach the sell-by date," he added.
The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the Queen's "very public act of dedication" when she succeeded to the throne and pledged her life to the nation. It's a phrase that sums up both the sixty years of her reign - and her determination not just to carry on with, but to enjoy today's anniversary to the full. ITN's Tim Ewart reports on Her Majesty's day ''without Prince Philip by her side''.
NBC News' Shanshan Dong, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
He looks excellent for a 91 year old!
This is such a common ailment of the elderly. Hydration is so critical to them, and they often just either don't like to drink water or fluids or forget to. I can remember battling with my folks about it constantly. Unless there is something else going on, that's really all it takes to keep them out of the hospital with UTIs and Bladder Infections. Poor guy...he's done his job. Time to relax now. I can't even imagine living a life on display like this. True love for sure!
Hope he is comfortable and will soon be home again to take it easy and enjoy semi retirement....
Sorry to hear about Prince Phillip's hospitilization. He's been a stalwart supporter of our Queen. Many thanks to him for his loyalty. Feel better soon, Prince.
"It's better to get out before you reach the sell-by date" - I wish more public figures would take that advice......
I love that statement: "It's better to get out before you reach the sell-by-date". What a clever guy! For 60 years he has kept an exhausting meeting/appearance schedule. Take rest now man.
He's done his part. Love or hate him. Take a break from all the extra BS and just enjoy what you have left. I agree though he does seem to be getting more frail but not to bad looking for 90.
Yes more public and political figures need to follow this guideline. Right now I'd say the there are more than a few that have expired and are rotting away, should've been thrown out long ago.
It is time
"Sell-by date". Brilliant, indeed.
Very pragmatic, he's always seemed to have a gift for condensing the largest thoughts into the smallest amount of words.
Very best wishes to Prince Phillip and to the Queen.
I love that statement! He's always been "behind" the Queen but a real gem on his own! Best of luck to him this time around in the hospital.
So many should have got out before they got in.
I do hope he gets better, as I can't imagine the Queen without him. I'm sure this is why she was not smiling as much at the Olympics.
Hope all is well with him. best wishes
I am sorry to hear that his health seems to be failing. He has given so much to his country. I hope he has a little time left to enjoy life with The Queen.
I wish him well. God save the Queen's prince.
It's better to get out before you reach the sell-by date," he added
Great parting words. After a life-time of official duties, he should retire and spent at least some time relaxing and enjoying life.
Prince Phil is the man, and I wish him all the best.
In case anyone's not aware, he's known in the UK for his irreverent one-liners. Check em out if you never have before, they're pretty funny:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-philip-quotes-relive-90-133848
Wow I just read those one-liners !
They are hilarious !
He is the man !
If he hadn't married Queen Elizabeth, he would have had one hell of a career in stand up!
Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.
Loved his comment about "where's the southern comfort" from American ambassador's gifts, but didn't understand what era of Russians killed half his family when they were fighting a common enemy in WWII. Guess he's pretty human quite the mixed bag.
Get-well wishes to Prince Philip!
Wouldn't it be nice if they both "retired"? Then the handsome Prince Charming and his gorgeous wife would be King and Queen. What a beautiful story.................
You think Camilla is gorgeous?? She seems okay looking but I wouldn't describe her as gorgeous.
Prince Charles is next in line and then, Prince William.
barf bucket time
Surely you're confused, thinking that Prince William and the lovely Kate would be next in line. If not, bless you for calling Camilla gorgeous - I'm sure no one else ever has - for obvious reasons.
Wishing you well Sir! You made me chuckle with the "sell by date" remark...heal quickly and God Bless!
Well wishes to the Prince. Can't imagine the Queen without him. God Bless you both.
Very saddened to hear of the Prince's illness. All the best wishes to the Queen and her prince.
He sure has aged well, we should all look this good at 91, and be as robust as he's been until recently. I hope he does better soon. His grandson's William and Harry both said earlier this year the Queen couldn't so what she does without her better half. Get well soon, and then take it easy-you've earned a bit of a rest!!
I wonder will the Queen and this Prince make it to heaven, or are they both far too evil ? Certainly plenty of idiots who believe they are good people.
I see alex is the leader of the bitter little people today.
To Alex..........................the confirmed IDIOT.
You must be another one of those RIGHTWING HATEMONGERS!!!!
There is no Heaven, so that's a no...
I'm not for or against this article, but people are allowed to each have their opinion without others attacking them and calling them some political name!
Jesus people, get off your high horses! Life is short.
alex...in the interest of education, please explain how they are evil and how they are not "good people". I look forward to an educateda nd fact-filled account, full of personally-witnessed events and details. Thank you in advance.
HartlessBeest...I read your comment towards Alex and then re-read his comment. I found nothing in his statement to earn the comment that he is "one of those rightwing hatemongers". So I assumed that you must have read other comments that he has posted in the past that prove he earns that title. I went into his postings and read through about 3 dozen entries. However, while every single comment was hate-filled, not one of them would make him out to be "rightwing". His comments are more often than not equally abrassive and often aimed at the right, calling members of the right "traitors" and stating that the left wants to take care of everyone and the right wants to tread on everyone. So...I would suggest, going forward, you try to be a little more careful about the hate that you yourself fling around. I also read your comments on various boards, and you like to call anyone you don't agree with "bigots" and "idiots". You have no tolerance for anyone's opionion that does not match yoru own. You are as hate-filled as Alex, though you will never see nor admit that. You have proven yourself to be no better than he is...in fact, a little worse, since you can add hypocrite to your own title.
Well it finally took getting to post #14 before the trolls showed up spewing hate.
CoCo and Eric, thanks for calling these trolls out. I wish the moderators would suspend their accounts.
God speed Prince Philip for a quick recovery!
Be well Prince Philip! God bless you and God Save The Queen!
All right, enough is enough. This old codger is obviously going to tip over at any minute and turn into a rotting pile of flesh and crap, just kill him off now and save the taxpayers some health care money!
Tim, you are delightful. You might want to hope folks don't say the same thing about you should you be lucky enough to live to 91...
Tim, A right winger in favor of death panels? Sara and Michele would demand your party card.
tim, your an evil man. evil evil evil. turn it around and you'll be happier.
Huh... He's married to one of the wealthiest people in Britain. Why do you think he's costing their taxpayers anything for his health care? I highly doubt anyone besides the family pays for his medical expenses.
Are you so anxious to push your axe to grind that you don't stop to think before post? Sheesh....use some common sense and think first....
He's always being admitted to the hospital. What type of health insurance does he have?
He's British, they have universal health care. He'll get his care paid for by the taxpayers just like any other citizen in Britain.
Did they run any tests to see if he has a heart?
Do you?
Get well soon Prince Phillip. The world loves you and the Queen.
There are plenty in this world that don't love them.
Rest easy, Sir. Speedy recovery to you.
But, I have a question. Why is Camilla riding in the carriage with the Queen? Really? E-w-w!
Because Camilla is, and always has been, Charles' true love. And if the Queen & Queen Mother hadn't been such hard-butts years ago, they would've married. Instead of Prince Charles being stuck with a needy, whinny, gorgeous fashion plate. And she wouldn't have settled and hurt Andrew.
The Queen and Queen Mother being such hard butts? Charles had PLENTY of opportunity to marry Camilla when they were younger, HE made the choice not to so he could keep playing the field, so SHE went off and married someone (Parker-Bowles) to spite him. Problem is, it backfired and she spited herself just as much, but indulged herself in a lifelong affair, flouting her marriage vows all the while, and making Diana's life hell when he married her. No wonder Diana called her a Rottweiler - and that was an insult to Rottweiler's around the world!! And who can ever forget Charles famous, oh-so-romantic line to Camilla about wanting to be her tampon so he could 'live in her knickers'!! Talk about repulsive! Didn't you ever wonder why the Queen has, in her later years, refused to step down from the throne? She knows Charles isn't qualified and will make a disaster of it if he's left to it too long. Is it any wonder most want to skip right over him and go straight to William? The "needy, whiny, gorgeous fashion plate' would have been far better off without Charles or Camilla in her life and they could have continued meeting in the garden for quickies!
Freedom, it seems you don't know too much about how the British royal family works.
Wishing him well!
I pray for Prince Philips speedy recovery, God save him and God save the Queen too! I love them both!
No! Despite all you trolls, he is a great person whom you trolls could learn something about being a gentleman.
I wish him well he is a delight and the Brits love him.
Prince Philip is quite well known for his acerbic and sharply witty comments in public:
To Susan Edwards and her guide dog in 2002: “They have eating dogs for the anorexic now.”