Philip 'Frustrated' To Miss Jutland Memorial

Prince Philip is said to be "frustrated and disappointed" after being advised not to attend a commemoration marking the Battle of Jutland on medical grounds.

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "Following doctor's advice, the Duke of Edinburgh has reluctantly decided not to attend the commemorations marking the Battle of Jutland tomorrow in Kirkwall and Hoy."

A spokeswoman added: "The Princess Royal, who was already attending the events, will represent the Royal Family."

Princess Anne's husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, told Sky News: "He is very frustrated and disappointed that he can't be here and we're all very sad that he won't be with us.

"He's fine. He just has a minor ailment and I think at his age it would be unwise to go and stand in a windswept cemetery for a long period."

It is understood that Philip, who is 94, is not planning to cancel any other engagements and has not been to hospital.

Sky News understands that he is staying privately in Scotland with the Queen.

The Prince has appeared to be in robust health recently, accompanying the Queen in Windsor during her 90th birthday celebrations last month.

The following day they welcomed Barack and Michelle Obama.

The Duke took the wheel of a Range Rover as they drove from the US President's helicopter to the castle.

It is now almost three years since he had an exploratory operation on his abdomen.

The Prince walked unaided to a waiting vehicle after spending 11 days at the London Clinic in June 2013.

The Battle of Jutland began on 31 May 1916, midway through the First World War.

Almost 250 ships took part, and both Britain and Germany claimed victory.

Germany highlighted 6,094 British losses compared to the 2,551 men it had sacrificed.

But British forces had considerably weakened their enemy's naval capability.

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who is accompanying Princess Anne, said that Jutland was "at least as ferocious as the Battle of Trafalgar, the British casualty count was much greater than the Battle of Trafalgar, and I think it's a good opportunity to remember the sacrifice that people made."

Descendants of those who fought in the battle will be attending tomorrow's commemorations.

Events include a service at Lyness Cemetery on the island of Hoy - the final resting place for more than 450 service personnel who died in the war, including sailors killed at Jutland.

There will also be a remembrance service at sea.

British and German naval representatives will scatter poppies and forget-me-nots - the German flower of remembrance - into the North Sea at Jutland Bank.