Prince Philip 'Progressing' After Operation

The Duke of Edinburgh has undergone his planned exploratory operation in hospital and is "progressing satisfactorily", according to Buckingham Palace.

Prince Philip, who will be 92 on Monday, has spent a second night in hospital after being admitted for the surgery on his abdomen, which was carried out under general anaesthetic.

The royal had the procedure at the London Clinic in Harley Street following abdominal investigations over the past week.

The analysis reports on the results of the operation are expected to be completed next week and he is expected to remain in hospital for around a fortnight.

Details about the duke's original symptoms that prompted the surgery have not been released.

But a palace statement read: "His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh has had an exploratory operation following abdominal investigations.

"The results will now be analysed. At this early stage he is progressing satisfactorily.

"Further updates will continue to be issued when appropriate."

A spokeswoman said he was "comfortable", and the Queen has been kept fully informed of her husband's progress as she spends the weekend as planned at Windsor Castle.

The duke appeared alongside his wife at a garden party at the palace on Thursday, where he was seen to be in good spirits while speaking to guests.

Her Majesty has continued with her engagements, which included officially opening the BBC's rebuilt Broadcasting House in central London.

As happened last year during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, she looks likely to attend several key forthcoming engagements this summer on her own, including the Trooping the Colour next weekend, marking the Queen's official birthday, as well as the annual Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle and Royal Ascot.

The duke will certainly miss the Lord's Taverners cricket match in Windsor on Sunday.

He missed an engagement at Buckingham Palace on Monday night because he was feeling "under the weather" and had lost his voice, but officials said this was unrelated to his visit to hospital.

The latest operation follows checks by doctors in recent days.

The prince was admitted to hospital twice last year because of a bladder infection that forced him to miss the last of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

He also suffered a blocked coronary artery the previous Christmas that required surgery.

Despite being admitted to hospital on several occasions in recent years, the prince, known for his active lifestyle, has maintained a busy schedule, and in April visited Canada for a "private working visit".

He was at the Queen's side at Westminster Abbey on Tuesday for the 60th anniversary of her coronation and on Wednesday toured a Victorian steamship, the SS Robin, in London's East End.

On Thursday, ahead of the garden party, the Queen invested Prince Philip with New Zealand's highest honour, making him an additional member of the Order of New Zealand to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his best wishes for the duke on Twitter, writing: "I hope he has a swift recovery."