Prince Philip leaves hospital to spend Christmas with the Queen

Duke of Edinburgh admitted for four nights to receive treatment for pre-existing condition

Prince Philip has left hospital after receiving treatment for a “pre-existing condition”.

The Duke of Edinburgh spent four nights at King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London after being admitted on Friday.

He was seen getting into a car in a secluded street behind the private hospital on Tuesday morning and sitting in the front passenger seat.

The Duke, who celebrated his 98th birthday in June, did not respond to photographers as he was driven away.

Multiple police stood guard around the hospital, as well as royal protection officers.

It is thought he will be heading to Sandringham to spend Christmas with the Queen.

The Duke’s eldest son, the Prince of Wales, told reporters he was being “looked after very well” in hospital on Monday.

During a visit to flood-hit communities in South Yorkshire, Prince Charles added: “When you get to that age things don’t work so well.”

He has generally enjoyed good health, appearing to recover well from a planned hip replacement operation in April 2018.

According to reports, his admission followed a spell of ill health.

The Sun newspaper quoted a royal source saying the duke had a fall recently, while the Daily Mail reported he had been battling a flu-like condition.

Additional reporting by Press Association