PRINCE Philip spent last night in hospital after a fall and months of ill health.
The Queen now faces Christmas alone after she caught the train to Sandringham yesterday as hubby Philip headed to a London hospital.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 98, was flown by helicopter from the Norfolk estate to the capital for observation and treatment for a pre-existing condition.
He spent the night at the private King Edward VII hospital and is expected to remain there for a few days ruling him out of the Royals family Christmas.
Police officers are standing guard outside the building following his admission.
The hospital dash follows a month of ill health for the Duke, including a nasty fall.
A royal source said: The Duke had a bad fall and was confined to bed for a couple of days.
He didnt break anything, but it gave everyone a scare. He suffers from gout which makes him more irritable and he lost his appetite.
Those around him were worried as hed stopped eating and didnt want to go out. But hes a 98-year-old man and this is all very common at this age.
Hes been in good health generally but missed the Queens Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday for the first time.
‘PRECAUTIONARY’
And for the first time in what feels like centuries he wont be seen shooting anywhere this year, not even on the Sandringham estate which is a great shame.
The announcement that Philip had gone to hospital on the advice of his doctor was made just before 2pm on Friday.
The Duke was taken from the estate by helicopter to London before being transferred to the King Edward by car.
The Queen, 93, caught the Great Northern service from Kings Cross, London, and arrived in Norfolk at 12.30pm.
A Range Rover then drove her the 30 minutes to Sandringham.
Philip retired from public duties in August 2017 and has since enjoyed good health, living on Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate and continuing carriage riding.
His health scares have included heart problems, arthritis, abdominal surgery and bladder infections.
In April 2018 he had a hip replacement operation but had recovered well for Harry and Meghans wedding a month later.
Palace sources last night said there was no cause for immediate concern following his admission. Buckingham Palace were also keen to play down the hospital trip.
They said he was not taken by ambulance and stressed it was a planned admission.
A Palace statement said: The Duke of Edinburgh travelled from Norfolk this morning to the King Edward VII Hospital in London for observation and treatment in relation to a pre- existing condition.
The admission is a precautionary measure on the advice of His Royal Highnesss doctor.
Philip suffers from arthritis in his right wrist and broke a bone in his ankle playing polo.
He also developed synovitis, a rheumatic condition of the tendon in the hand, after a polo fall.
As revealed by HOAR last month there has been disquiet among senior royals at Harry and Meghans decision to snub the traditional royal Christmas.
One family member told a friend: We all understand that the Sussexes are entitled to privacy and a proper break.
But given they have had six weeks off perhaps they should have come back to the UK for Christmas, given the Queen and Duke of Edinburghs advancing age.
All other senior royals, including Charles and Camilla, William, Kate and their three children plus Anne, Edward and Sophie, will join the Queen. Events will include the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
Prince Philip pictured on the Balmoral estate on August 23
Officers stationed outside the London hospital
The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Harry chatting at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston in May
The hospital in London where the royal will be staying for a few days
