Duke of Edinburgh’s condition has ‘improved considerably’

THE Duke of Edinburgh’s condition was said to have “improved considerably” today as the Queen continued to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen has described the four days of public celebrations as a “humbling experience”.

In a TV address yesterday she thanked the nation for organising and taking part in events to celebrate her 60 years on the throne.

The speech came as Her Majesty set the seal on the celebrations with a Buckingham Palace appearance before an estimated crowd of more than a million.

Surrounded by the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, she watched a flypast of World War 2 aircraft followed by the Red Arrows.

Today she was to attend a lunch in honour of the anniversary with Commonwealth leaders, including prime ministers, governor-generals and high commission representatives.

The Duke of Edinburgh had been due to accompany the Queen to the event at Marlborough House on Pall Mall in London but was in hospital under observation for a bladder infection.

However, Buckingham Palace revealed that while he will remain in hospital for the next few days his condition had “improved considerably”.

Today’s lunch follows four days of pomp and pageantry.

In her broadcast message the Queen said: “The events that I have attended to mark my Diamond Jubilee have been a humbling experience.

“It has touched me deeply to see so many thousands of families, neighbours and friends celebrating together in such a happy atmosphere.”