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Duke of Edinburgh in hospital following chest pains Prince Philip has heart surgery at Papworth Hospital
(40 minutes later)
The Duke of Edinburgh has been taken to hospital after suffering chest pains, Buckingham Palace has said.The Duke of Edinburgh has been taken to hospital after suffering chest pains, Buckingham Palace has said.
Prince Philip was treated for a blocked coronary artery and a successful "invasive procedure of coronary stenting" was performed.Prince Philip was treated for a blocked coronary artery and a successful "invasive procedure of coronary stenting" was performed.
The duke, 90, had been taken from Sandringham to the cardiothoracic unit at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire. The duke, aged 90, had been taken from Sandringham to the cardiothoracic unit at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire.
The Royal Family had been gathering at Sandringham, a traditional royal retreat in Norfolk, for Christmas.The Royal Family had been gathering at Sandringham, a traditional royal retreat in Norfolk, for Christmas.
The palace said that following tests the duke was was found to have a blocked coronary artery which had caused his chest pains.
This was treated successfully by the minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting.
Prince Philip will remain in hospital under observation for a short period, it added.
Specialist unit
BBC royal correspondent Nick Witchell said the duke was likely to remain in hospital for at least a couple of days.
The procedure involves pushing a balloon into the artery and blowing it up to remove the blockage.
The stent is a metal sleeve fitted over the balloon, which remains inside the body when the balloon is removed.
The BBC's Peter Hunt said the Greek-born prince was in strikingly good health and there had been no suggestion of ill health.The BBC's Peter Hunt said the Greek-born prince was in strikingly good health and there had been no suggestion of ill health.
'Clearly disruptive'
The prince attended a lunch for his staff a week ago and was reportedly "on very good form", he added.The prince attended a lunch for his staff a week ago and was reportedly "on very good form", he added.
He said no other member of the Royal Family travelled with him to the hospital.He said no other member of the Royal Family travelled with him to the hospital.
According to Sky News, he was flown there in a helicopter.According to Sky News, he was flown there in a helicopter.
Overall he has been remarkably well. If you look at both the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh it is quite striking what they do given their age.Overall he has been remarkably well. If you look at both the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh it is quite striking what they do given their age.
He became, in 2009, Britain's longest serving royal consort.He became, in 2009, Britain's longest serving royal consort.
A month or two ago he was in Australia - a pretty daunting thing for anyone of 90.A month or two ago he was in Australia - a pretty daunting thing for anyone of 90.
They had arranged a programme for both of them to reflect their advancing age and Prince Philip actually asked for more items to be placed into his programme because he felt he was kicking his heels.They had arranged a programme for both of them to reflect their advancing age and Prince Philip actually asked for more items to be placed into his programme because he felt he was kicking his heels.
He tends not to take a huge amount of time off.He tends not to take a huge amount of time off.
It's quite striking that they have put this information out as quickly as they have, because the Royal Family traditionally regards health matters as very private.It's quite striking that they have put this information out as quickly as they have, because the Royal Family traditionally regards health matters as very private.
But they have decided to do so because it might well leak and lead to speculation so they have decided to be upfront rather quickly given that this only happened this evening.But they have decided to do so because it might well leak and lead to speculation so they have decided to be upfront rather quickly given that this only happened this evening.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said it was "very sad" and "clearly disruptive" for their family Christmas.
Discussing the speed at which the royals released the information, she said: "Either this is more serious and therefore they felt they really must issue a statement, or they've simply moved with the times and it's going to get out in social media."
Papworth is the UK's largest specialist cardiothoracic hospital and the country's main heart and lung transplant centre.Papworth is the UK's largest specialist cardiothoracic hospital and the country's main heart and lung transplant centre.
It treats more than 22,800 inpatient and day cases and 53,400 outpatients each year.It treats more than 22,800 inpatient and day cases and 53,400 outpatients each year.
Prince Philip, who arrived at Sandringham on Monday, is the longest-serving royal consort and celebrated 64 years of marriage in November.Prince Philip, who arrived at Sandringham on Monday, is the longest-serving royal consort and celebrated 64 years of marriage in November.
He was last in hospital in April 2008, when he spent three days in London with a chest infection.He was last in hospital in April 2008, when he spent three days in London with a chest infection.
And last October he pulled out of travelling to Assisi in Italy because he had a cold.And last October he pulled out of travelling to Assisi in Italy because he had a cold.
He had just returned from an 11-day tour of Australia with the Queen.He had just returned from an 11-day tour of Australia with the Queen.
Former press secretary to the Queen, Dickie Aribiter, said: "He has had these chest pains before and I don't think it's anything untoward, but given his age they are being safe rather than sorry.
"I am sure we are going to see him on Christmas Day and he can look forward to accompanying the Queen in the new year."
Royal commentator Margaret Holder said it was worrying for the Royal Family but might not be as serious as it sounded.Royal commentator Margaret Holder said it was worrying for the Royal Family but might not be as serious as it sounded.
"It's possible it could be a bit of indigestion and they are just checking it over, let's hope it's something simple like that," she said. "He is 90, he has been in remarkable health. For somebody who has just done an 11-day tour of Australia at 90, that's amazing in itself as it is."
"But he is 90, he has been in remarkable health. For somebody who has just done an 11-day tour of Australia at 90, that's amazing in itself as it is."
She said the long flights may have "taken something out of him".She said the long flights may have "taken something out of him".
A Buckingham Palace spokesman has reiterated that Prince Philip is undergoing "precautionary checks".A Buckingham Palace spokesman has reiterated that Prince Philip is undergoing "precautionary checks".