LONDON - Queen Elizabeth II's 96-year-old husband, Prince Philip, has been admitted to a London hospital for a previously scheduled hip surgery, Buckingham Palace said Wednesday.

The palace said the prince entered the King Edward VII Hospital in the afternoon and would have the surgery Thursday. It said the hospital admission and surgery were planned.

Officials declined to provide additional details about the surgery and said "further updates will be issued when appropriate."

The prince announced in May that he was retiring from most public duties after decades of royal service. The palace said at the time he had carried out roughly 22,000 solo royal engagements since Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952.

Philip has missed several public events in recent weeks, including an Easter Sunday church service in Windsor. He has been reported to be hobbled by hip pain, but the news of the planned surgery took many by surprise.

The health scare comes at a busy time for the royal family. Prince William and his wife Kate are expecting their third child this month, and Prince Harry plans to marry American actress Meghan Markle on May 19 at Windsor Castle. - AP