BRITAIN’S PRINCE PHILIP has been admitted to hospital.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 92 next week, was admitted to the London Clinic for what Buckingham Palace called “an exploratory operation”.

It said the operation had followed “abdominal investigations”.

The prince is expected to remain in hospital for up to a fortnight.

Earlier this week Philip had taken an active part in engagements to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of his wife, Queen Elizabeth.

As recently as this afternoon he was photographed, appearing to look well, as his wife presented him with New Zealand’s highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, at Buckingham Palace as part of the coronation celebrations.

However, Buckingham Palace’s Court Circular, which tracks public appointments for the members of the royal family, did not list him as having any scheduled appearances for the rest of this month.

The prince has previously been hospitalised with bladder infections in June and August of last year, and with chest pains at Christmas 2011, when he underwent a coronary angioplasty.