Joanna Lumley visits Philip in hospital (Well, at least somebody has!)

Despite the Queen choosing to remain in Windsor, the 86-year-old Prince did receive one pick-me-up yesterday – in the form of a get-well gift delivered personally by actress Joanna Lumley.

Miss Lumley arrived at the private £500-a-night London hospital at around midday carrying a bouquet of flowers bearing the Duke's name, which she is believed to have left for him at reception.

The actress is known to be a friend to several members of the Royal Family, including Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, whose wedding she attended in 2005. She is also an ambassador for the Prince's Trust.

The Duke was still being treated yesterday after being admitted to hospital on Thursday night suffering from a chest infection, but was thought to be improving well and may even be discharged in time to fulfil his engagements tomorrow.

He was examined by consultants yesterday and is expected to undergo a further medical assessment tomorrow.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said last night: "There are some functions at Windsor on Monday and he is hoping to attend them."

All of the Duke's official engagements during the weekend were cancelled after he was admitted to the King Edward VII Hospital in Central London.

But the notoriously cantankerous Duke was said to have insisted on walking into the building himself, and has apparently been sitting up in bed working on his correspondence and making phone calls.

None of his engagements for the coming week has been cancelled.

The Queen remained at Windsor rather than visit her husband in hospital, but a handful of well-wishers as well as Miss Lumley brought flowers for Prince Philip.

Five-year-old Sarah Bithell was among those who handed a bouquet to the police officer on guard outside the hospital.

Her father Michael said: "Sarah's grandad is also ill in hospital but lives a long way away.

"We couldn't take him any flowers so we decided to bring Prince Philip some instead."

The Duke is believed to have suffered with a heavy cold for several days before being admitted to hospital.

On Wednesday, he was forced to pull out of a thanksgiving service for Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary.

By Thursday afternoon his health had worsened and his doctor insisted he go to hospital, although Royal officials insisted publicly that this was as a precaution rather than an emergency.

He left Windsor Castle and was admitted to the hospital, where he is being treated by the Physician to the Queen, Harley Street doctor Professor John Cunningham.

The health of the Duke is expected to be monitored closely during the coming week.

On Monday, he is due to attend two engagements – a meeting with trustees of St George's House at Windsor Castle and a dinner to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel.

He is an extremely active man who carries out 400 engagements a year, and has rarely been ill, although he has suffered a number of sport-related injuries in the past.