Prince Philip spends third night in hospital
Prince Philip spends a third night in hospital after treatment for a blocked coronary artery. The 90-year old is said to be “eager” to get out.
Six of the royal grandchildren, including Princes William and Harry, went to see 90-year-old Philip at Papworth Hospital near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, on Christmas Day.
The Duke is said to be eager to leave the hospital, where he is recuperating after treatment for a blocked coronary artery.
He will be disappointed if he misses the royal family’s Boxing Day shoot, usually led by the Duke, which is expected to go ahead as planned.
No details have been given about when he is to be discharged.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The Duke is in good spirits and will remain in hospital under observation for a short period.
“The Queen will continue to be briefed on his condition. We do not have details of a release date at this stage.”
Philip was taken to Papworth, a specialist heart hospital, on Friday night after complaining of chest pains.
Following tests, doctors discovered a blocked artery and he underwent a “minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting”, which was declared a success.
Photo gallery: Prince Philip at 90
Yesterday, the Duke of Cambridge and his younger brother Harry drove separate cars to the hospital from Sandringham, the Queen’s private Norfolk estate, taking the Duke of York’s daughters Beatrice and Eugenie and the Princess Royal’s children Zara and Peter with them for the 45-minute visit.
They made the journey after enjoying Christmas Day lunch at Sandringham, having changed into more casual attire than their earlier outfits for the traditional Christmas church service at the estate.
William drove a Range Rover with Peter and Zara as his passengers, while Harry drove an Audi with Beatrice and Eugenie inside.
Their Christmas cheer would have been a welcome distraction for the Duke who is thought to have missed his first Christmas morning service at Sandringham, an annual tradition for the Royal Family since the early 1990s.
Around 3,000 well-wishers gathered outside St Mary Magdalene Church to see the royals, including the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
It was the Duchess of Cambridge’s first time at the service, which was also attended by England rugby player Mike Tindall and the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, who married in the summer.
Sandringham rector the Rev Jonathan Riviere told the congregation: “We pray for the Queen and the Royal Family. Especially today we pray for Prince Philip and his continued recovery.”