Queen Elizabeth II’s 90-year-old husband was airlifted by helicopter from Sandringham Palace to Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, England on Friday night (22Dec11) after complaining about chest pains.
The Duke of Edinburgh was fitted with a coronary stent during the “minimally invasive” operation.
The Queen, 85, visited the Duke in hospital early on Saturday (24Dec11), accompanied by their daughter Princess Anne, and sons Princes Edward and Andrew.
Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived at Papworth Hospital for a separate visit shortly afterwards.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday morning, Buckingham Palace spokeswoman Ailsa Anderson said, “The Duke of Edinburgh had a good night and is in good spirits but he is eager to leave.
“Sunday’s church service is going ahead as planned and we don’t anticipate changes to the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations.”
The Royal Family traditionally gather to celebrate the festive holiday at Sandringham Palace, where they attended a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day (25Dec11).
But there was one notable absence at the dinner table as Prince Philip, who traditionally leads the Sandringham shoot on Boxing Day (26Dec11), remained under doctors’ care over the Christmas weekend (24-25Dec11).
