Prince Philip To Return To Work 'Within Days'

Prince Philip is recovering faster than doctors had expected and is set to return to work within days, royal aides have told Sky News.

The Duke of Edinburgh, currently resting at Sandringham after undergoing abdominal surgery in June, will return to public duties "earlier than we had imagined", one Palace aide said.

On August 12 the Duke will "ease back in" to work by presenting medals at the Royal Society Of Edinburgh (RSE).

After making a "steady and good recovery" from his operation, this will be the 92-year-old's first engagement since attending a Buckingham Palace garden party the day he was admitted to hospital.

The engagement at the RSE, where the Duke is an honorary fellow, takes place en route to Balmoral where the Prince plans to join the Queen for the summer break.

The presentation of medals to Professors Sir John Cadogan, Michael Ferguson and Sir Ian Wood, will be the ninth of its kind conducted by the Prince since 2001.

Sky News understands the Duke of Edinburgh has been undertaking "light duties" in private since beginning a two-month period of convalescence.

But he is yet to be seen in public since departing the London Clinic on June 17.

In what was his fourth admittance to hospital in 18 months, the Duke underwent exploratory abdominal surgery.

Prince Philip was due to have spent up to two weeks at the clinic, but was discharged after just 11 days smiling and shaking hands with staff as he walked to his car.

And Sky News understands the Duke is yet to meet his nearly two-week old great grandson, Prince George of Cambridge.

Palace aides have not ruled out a private visit to Balmoral by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge over the summer.