Prince Philip has infection and is set to stay in hospital ‘for several days’

The Duke of Edinburgh is being treated for an infection and is not expected to leave hospital for several days, Buckingham Palace has said.

Prince Philip was admitted to London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital last Tuesday as a precaution after feeling unwell.

The 99-year-old husband of the Queen is “comfortable and responding to treatment”, the palace said.

The Earl of Wessex said his father was feeling “a lot better” and appreciated “lovely messages” from the public.

Prince Edward told Sky News: “He’s looking forward to getting out, which is the most positive thing, so we keep our fingers crossed.”

The couple, who celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary last November, have been spending lockdown at Windsor Castle with a small household staff.

A palace source previously said that the duke, who turns 100 in June, had walked into the hospital in Marylebone unaided.

Prince Charles visited his father for around 30 minutes on Saturday afternoon.

A Clarence House spokesman said Prince Charles returned to his Highgrove residence in Gloucestershire after the visit.

Speaking on Monday, the Duke of Cambridge said his grandfather was “OK” and that doctors were “keeping an eye” on him.

Members of the Royal Family have continued with their official duties, with the Queen knighting a royal aide during a private socially-distanced ceremony at Windsor on Thursday.

Known for off-the-cuff remarks at public events, Prince Philip joked at the time that he was the “world’s most experienced plaque unveiler”.

In his time as a working royal, he attended over 22,000 solo engagements and gave more than 5,000 speeches.