'Unwell' Prince Philip, 96, pulls out of ceremony at Windsor

Prince Philip pulled out of a rare public engagement yesterday due to illness. Photo / Getty Images

Prince Philip pulled out of a rare public engagement yesterday because he was feeling unwell, sources told the Daily Mail last night.

Aides had hoped the Queen's husband, who retired from public duties last summer at the age of 96, would attend a ceremony at Windsor Castle to formally hand over his role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards to his son, Prince Andrew.

But it is understood Philip was not able to go as he was "feeling under the weather".

It is not believed there is any cause for alarm, but at his age – and after several bouts of ill health in recent years – doctors will not be taking any chances.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment last night on either Philip's health or whether he had been due to attend an event.

Aides pointed out that the Duke of Edinburgh had taken a step back from public duties last year, although at the time they said he would attend the occasional engagement on a case-by-case basis.

Yesterday's event saw the Queen, accompanied by Andrew, received in the grand reception room at Windsor Castle to mark the appointment of the Duke of York as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.

The monarch and her son were then given a Royal Salute in St George's Hall before he inspected a parade of troops.

Buckingham Palace announced last December that Andrew would take over the appointment from his father, who has been Colonel of the Grenadier Guards since 1975, as part of his renouncement of official duties.

In 2011, Philip was rushed into hospital for emergency heart surgery after suffering a blocked artery, which involved him have a stent fitted.

He was also forced to pull out of several key engagements to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, having developed a severe bladder infection after being forced to stand for hours in driving wind and rain during a celebratory river pageant.

And in 2013 he was admitted to hospital for 'exploratory' abdominal surgery.