Prince Philip checks out in time for Christmas at Sandringham

The Queen received some good news when the Duke of Edinburgh checked out of a hospital in time for the royal family’s Christmas.

Prince Philip leaves London’s King Edward VII Hospital on Tuesday. Picture: PA

The Queen received some good news when the Duke of Edinburgh checked out of a London hospital after a four-night stay in time to join the royal family for Christmas

She called 2019 “quite bumpy” in a Christmas message at the end of a chaotic year that saw Britain feud over its split from the EU and her scandal-plagued son Prince Andrew withdraw from public life.

The 93-year-old’s address — to be aired in full on Christmas night — will point to the life of Jesus as an example of “how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions”.

The remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to the Brexit debate that has torn Britain apart since it voted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum.

“The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference,” the Queen will say.

Royal commentators said the Queen’s use of the word “bumpy” marked her most explicit admission of turmoil since her description of 1992 as an “annus horribilis”.

The marriages of three of her children fell apart and her beloved Windsor Castle nearly went up in flames in that “horrible year”.

The Queen records her Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle. Picture: Getty Images

The 2019 Christmas Day message also reflected on the heroism of British forces during the D-Day landings in Normandy that turned the course of World War II in 1944. Her trips abroad are becoming increasingly rare, but she made one in June to attend the 75th anniversary commemorations in France.

“For the 75th anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation, those who had formerly been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them,” the Queen will say in her message.

“By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost.”

The young royals, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, were expected to make their Christmas Day debut alongside the Queen at the annual Sandringham church service. The anticipated public appearance of the two – and maybe even their younger brother, Prince Louis, 19 months — will add sparkle and cheer the public that line up on a chilly Sandringham estate each year.

Prince Philip, 98, entered King Edward VII’s Hospital on Friday to receive treatment for a “pre-­existing condition”.

Philip, a man of great pride, walked out of the hospital on his own on Tuesday morning even though many ­patients of that age use wheelchairs when they are discharged.

On Monday, Prince Charles said his father was faring well but was suffering from age-related problems. “When you get to that age, things don’t work so well,” he said.

Additional reporting: AFP, AP