Queen Elizabeth Visits Prince Philip in Hospital on His 92nd Birthday

Palace says that the royal is "progressing according to plans" following exploratory abdominal surgery and has some convalescence ahead

By Natalie Finn Jun 10, 2013 9:20 PMTags
Queen Elizabeth II Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth was busy attending to her No. 1 subject this evening.

The royal matriarch visited husband Prince Philip in a London hospital Monday, his 92nd birthday, as he recovers from surgery—a recovery that's on schedule but expected to take some time.

"His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh is progressing according to plans at this early stage," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. "He is comfortable and in good spirits."

 "He will remain in hospital for up to two weeks," the palace added, "and it is expected he will then be taking a period of convalescence of approximately two months." As of now, he is planning to resume his public obligations in the fall.

Philip was admitted last week to undergo an exploratory procedure following, according to his spokesperson, "abdominal investigations."

The 87-year-old queen, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee last summer, arrived at the London Clinic at aroud 7 p.m., holding an envelope made out to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and stayed for about half an hour. Their son Prince Edward also reportedly visited this afternoon.

"Wishing the Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 92nd birthday as he recovers in hospital today," British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter.