Queen wraps up jubilee festivities without Philip

As he was admitted to hospital with a bladder infection:

UK: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday wraps up four days of diamond jubilee celebrations but without her husband Prince Philip after he was admitted to hospital with a bladder infection.

The festivities conclude with a ceremonial carriage procession in London, a formal contrast to Monday's spectacular pop tribute staged outside Buckingham Palace.

Prince Philip, who turns 91 on Sunday and has been a fixture at the queen's side during her 60-year reign, missed the musical extravaganza and will remain in hospital for several days.

“He is, understandably, disappointed about missing this evening's Diamond Jubilee Concert and tomorrow's engagements,” Buckingham Palace said on Monday.

The new health scare comes less than six months after the outspoken British royal patriarch suffered chest pains during the Christmas break and had to undergo a medical procedure to treat a blocked coronary artery.

Prince Philip, the longest serving royal consort in British history, appeared in good health on Sunday as he travelled on the royal barge in chilly conditions during a 1,000-boat river pageant for the jubilee.

But he was absent as the queen and several other members of the royal family attended Monday's colourful concert featuring a raft of top pop stars watched by hundreds of thousands of patriotic revellers.

Tuesday marks a return to pomp and pageantry as the queen attends a thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral before returning to the palace in a carriage procession down The Mall.

The queen, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Catherine will then appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Royal Air Force flypast.

The palace underwent an unprecedented makeover on Monday when it was turned into a giant screen, providing a spectacular backdrop for performances from some of pop music's biggest stars.

The monarch appeared on stage after the final set to light a ceremonial beacon, the centrepiece a chain of 4,200 spanning the Commonwealth, triggering a thunderous firework finale.

Moments earlier, her son and heir Prince Charles took centre stage to celebrate the “life and service of a very special person”, drawing cheers from the crowd as he paid tribute to his “mummy”.

Despite the informal good spirit of the occasion, the prince expressed regret over the absence of Prince Philip.

AFP