Buckingham Palace has confirmed that 96-year-old Prince Philip has been admitted to the hospital. The aging Duke of Edinburgh has been ailing as of late, and as People reports, His Royal Highness was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday afternoon for pre-planned hip surgery. According to statement released by Buckingham Palace, the surgery is slated to take place on Wednesday. Over the last week, Prince Philip's health has prevented him from attending traditional Maundy and Easter services at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel alongside Queen Elizabeth.
"His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to this afternoon, for planned surgery on his hip which will take place tomorrow."
According to a royal source, Prince Philip had planned to take part in the annual Maundy Thursday service but opted out of the event after experiencing some "trouble with his hip." Leading up to the Easter week events, Philip also missed Prince Andrew's appointment as the new Colonel of the Grenadier Guards on March 22. The palace has not confirmed whether his ongoing hip issues were the reason that the prince the opportunity to formally hand his role over to his son, a change in leadership that actually took place at the end of 2017.