Queen Elizabeth visits husband in hospital after heart treatment

Dec 24, 2011, 14:27 GMT

London - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was flown by helicopter to visit her husband, Prince Philip, in hospital Saturday, after he underwent an operation to unblock an artery in his heart.

The queen left the royal estate in Sandringham, eastern England, where the family usually spends Christmas, to visit the 90-year-old prince in Papworth hospital, Cambridge.

The prince, also known as the Duke of Edinburgh, had 'had a good night and is in good spirits but he is eager to leave,' a royal spokeswoman said outside the hospital on Saturday.

'We don't anticipate changes to the royal family's Christmas celebrations,' she added.

But it was not thought that the prince would be discharged on Saturday, though he could make it home for Boxing Day, December 26, when he had been set to lead the traditional Christmas shoot.

The prince was admitted to the hospital on Friday after complaining of chest pains, according to a royal statement. He underwent 'the minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting' to clear the blockage.

Christmas Eve is an important day for the royals as they follow the German tradition of opening their presents then - something Queen Victoria and her German husband Prince Albert did.

The heart operation is the most serious health scare yet suffered by the prince, who is known for being a robust and active 90-year-old. In October, he joined the queen for an intensive 11-day tour of Australia.