Prince Philip leaves hospital after two nights of treatment

The Duke of Edinburgh has been discharged from hospital after spending two nights being treated for an infection that forced him to miss the state opening of parliament and Royal Ascot.

Prince Philip was admitted to hospital on Tuesday evening as a “precautionary measure” after an infection arose from a pre-existing condition. Buckingham Palace did not say what the condition was.

The duke left the rear of the private King Edward VII hospital in London just before 10am on Thursday and was driven away. He is likely to rest at Windsor for a few days.

He arrived at the hospital by car after becoming unwell at Windsor just hours after attending Royal Ascot with the Queen and other members of the royal family.

At the time, Buckingham Palace stressed he was in “good spirits” and disappointed to be missing the state opening of parliament and Ascot.

The 96-year-old announced earlier this year that he would retire from public engagements after the summer, though it was said his decision was not health-related.

The Prince of Wales stepped in to accompany the Queen to the state opening, and then to Ascot.