Queen wraps up jubilee festivities without Philip

Updated: 2012-06-06 03:40

By Danny Kemp in London (Agencies)

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Queen wraps up jubilee festivities without Philip

Britain's Queen Elizabeth (C) waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the royal family watches, during her Diamond Jubilee in central London June 5, 2012. [Photo / Agencies]

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II wrapped up four days of Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Tuesday without her husband Prince Philip, who was hospitalized with a bladder infection.

The festivities concluded 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 at the queen's side throughout her 60-year reign, missed the musical extravaganza and will remain in hospital for several days.

Buckingham Palace said Philip, the longest-serving royal consort in British history, was "disappointed" to miss the concert as well as Tuesday's thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral and carriage procession.

The new health scare comes less than six months after the outspoken British royal patriarch suffered chest pains during the Christmas break and was treated for a blocked coronary artery.

Prince Philip 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 colorful concert featuring a raft of top pop stars and watched by hundreds of thousands of patriotic revelers.

The British press praised the queen's "brave" decision to attend the concert despite her husband's ill health, with the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail and Daily Express all carrying the headline: "The show must go on".

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

The palace underwent an unprecedented makeover on Monday when it was turned into a giant screen, providing a spectacular backdrop for performances from Elton John and other stars.

Queen wraps up jubilee festivities without Philip

The Queen waves to spectators as she leaves Westminster Hall in London June 5, 2012. [Photo / Agencies]

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