THE Duke of Edinburgh will be absent from the culmination of The Queen's celebrations today after being taken to hospital with a bladder infection.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said he had been taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London yesterday, prior to last night's concert, as a "precautionary measure".
The spokeswoman said: "HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London, from Windsor Castle, as a precautionary measure after developing a bladder infection, which is being assessed and treated. Prince Philip will remain in hospital under observation for a few days."
Revellers expressed their sadness he would not join the Queen for the highlight of the four-day long celebrations.
Caroline Couzens, 54, a hospice worker from Dorchester in Dorset, said: "I think people will still enjoy the party but it will put a dampener on things for the royals. It's very sad he won't be there."
Val Brook, 61, who had journeyed from near Kendal with her sister Sandra Robinson, said: "It's such a shame. We send our best wishes. Our father's the same age as Philip so we're used to bladder infections.
"It will put a dampener on things to a certain extent."
Sir Paul McCartney wished the Duke well, saying: "I think, you know, we all send our best wishes for a speedy recovery."
The Duke appeared to be in good spirits on Sunday when he joined the rest of his family on the royal barge for the Diamond Jubilee pageant.
His infection comes after a major health scare over Christmas when he underwent a procedure to clear a blocked coronary artery.
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