Crowds cheer absent Prince Philip during Diamond Jubilee
Queen's husband, under treatment for bladder infection, sits out celebrations
Although the Duke of Edinburgh was absent from Monday's Buckingham Palace concert which featured British musical legends like Elton John and Paul McCartney his presence was still felt by the cheering crowds.
Prince Philip, whowas hospitalized with a bladder infection, will likely sit out the rest of the nationwide festivities marking Queen Elizabeth'sDiamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace announced earlier Monday.
Although thehighly anticipatedconcert went on without Philip, his son Prince Charlesled the crowdin a show of encouragement as they chanted the duke's name.
Palace officials said Prince Philip, who will turn 91 on Sunday, was taken to the King Edward VII Hospital in London from Windsor Castle as a precaution. He will likely remain in the hospital under observation for a few days.
"Prince Philip is understandably disappointed about missing this evening's Diamond Jubilee concert and tomorrow's engagements," said the palace in a statement.
Prince Philip's humble beginnings
Philip was born a prince of both Greece and Denmark on June 10, 1921, on the dining table at his parents' home in Mon Repos, on the Greek island of Corfu.
Since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1952, he has been the consortkneeling before, standing beside and walking behind the sovereign.
Read the Duke of Edinburgh's full biographyTheQueen's husband appeared in good health as recently as Sunday, when he participated inthe elaborateriver pageanton the River Thames alongside key members of the Royal Family. The Diamond Jubilee celebrationshonour the Queen's 60 years on the throne.
Philip's hospitalization also means he will no longer meet privately withCanada's Gov. Gen. David Johnstonon Wednesday, as previously scheduled.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is also in the U.K. for the jubilee celebrations, issued a statement through his office, wishing Philip a "quick and complete" recovery, reported CBC's Heather Hiscox from London.
Duke recovered from December health scare
It is not thefirsttime Philip'shealth has made headlines.
In December 2011the duke was hospitalized with a blocked coronary artery, a major health scare, during the holiday season.
For the first time in years, he was forced to miss the Royal Family's traditional Christmas festivities, which included attending a morning church service, viewing the Queen's annual Christmas broadcastand a shooting party on Boxing Day.
Philiprecoveredsuccessfully from acoronary stent procedure after a four-day stay in hospital.
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With files from The Associated Press
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