The 86-year-old prince, husband of Queen Elizabeth II' title='Queen Elizabeth II' class='tpstyle'>Queen Elizabeth II, was taken to King Edward VII Hospital in London Thursday for assessment and treatment, The Times of London reported.

Hospital officials did not disclose the severity of his illness,

Philip became ill this week with a cold, from which the chest infection appears to have developed, the British newspaper said. The prince's illness caused him to miss a service for the late Sir Edmund Hillary at Windsor Castle Wednesday, palace officials said.

All of the prince's official engagements for the weekend were canceled.