Prince Philip returns to official duties just days after admission to hospital for an infection

Prince Philip cut a relaxed and smiling figure as he watched a British Driving Society parade at Windsor Great Park in Berkshire. After waving to well-wishers as he arrived at the event, the 96-year-old royal presented prizes to the winners of a carriage driving competition.

The Queen wore a mint green coat and matching hat at the event, which marked Prince Philip’s first public appearance since he was admitted to a private London hospital on Tuesday evening as a precautionary measure. During his two-night hospital stay, Buckingham Palace officials said the Duke had cancelled an engagement at London Zoo as he continued to recuperate.

The Duke was due to visit the attraction next Wednesday, in his role as an honorary fellow of the Zoological Society of London, to present the Prince Philip Award for Contributions to Zoology.
Buckingham Palace says there are no current plans for Philip to miss other royal engagements.

Prince Philip was discharged on Thursday from a London hospital after he was treated for what was reported in sections of the British media as a bladder infection.

Philip was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital on Tuesday as a precautionary measure after he fell ill with an infection related to an existing health condition that wasn’t made public. Philip, who turned 96 earlier this month, was driven from the hospital Thursday.

Officials said he was in good spirits during his two nights’ stay there. His brief admission to the hospital meant he missed out on two major events in the queen’s calendar — the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday and the Royal Ascot horse races.