Royals visit Prince Philip in hospital
Princes William and Harry are among the royals to visit the Duke of Edinburgh in hospital. Prince Philip is recovering after an operation to treat a blocked coronary artery.
The Duke of Cambridge and his younger brother drove separate cars to Papworth Hospital near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire after the royal family’s Christmas lunch at Sandringham, the Queen’s private Norfolk estate.
With them arrived the Duke of York’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie and the Princess Royal’s children Zara and Peter.
Prince Philip was said to be “in good spirits” after treatment for a blocked coronary artery.
Philip, 90, spent a second night in hospital after the coronary stent procedure and is expected to remain under observation for a short period but no details have been given about when he will be discharged.
Today was thought to be the first time the Duke has missed the Christmas morning service at Sandringham, the Queen’s private Norfolk estate, which has become an annual tradition for the Royal Family since the early 1990s.
Hundreds of people were queuing at the gates today to see the Queen and her family, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall, make the short journey to St Mary Magdalene Church on the royal estate, where they are spending Christmas.
Photo gallery: Prince Philip at 90
In her Christmas message this year the Queen talks about the importance of family. She recorded it on 9 December, two weeks before her husband was taken ill.
The festive weekend is the Duchess of Cambridge’s first Christmas as a member of the Royal Family.
Philip was visited in hospital yesterday by family members, including the Queen and the Prince of Wales.
If he makes good progress, he could be back among the royal family for tomorrow’s Boxing Day shoot, which he was reportedly supposed to be leading.