Queen Elizabeth visits husband in hospital

Prince Philip, who turned 90 earlier this year and who had been in good health, remained under observation at the hospital last night (GETTY IMAGES)

Queen Elizabeth II has arrived at a hospital in Cambridge to visit her husband who is recovering from a heart procedure.

The Duke of Edinburgh was said by Buckingham Palace to have had "a good night" following his treatment for a blocked coronary artery last night. He was flown yesterday to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge after suffering chest pains at Sandringham in Norfolk and was successfully treated with a coronary stent procedure.

Prince Philip, who turned 90 earlier this year and who had been in good health, remained under observation at the hospital last night.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The Duke of Edinburgh was found to have had a blocked 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.”

The heart scare came as the Royal Family gathered at Sandringham for Christmas. The royal estate in Norfolk is where the Queen and her close family have spent Christmas for the past 20 years. This year the Duchess of Cambridge, previously Kate Middleton, will be spending her first Christmas as a member of the Royal Family following her marriage to Prince William.

Members of the Royal Family will hopefully be reassured that the procedure has gone well, and some of them are expected to visit him in hospital today. If the Duke makes good progress he could be back among them for the Boxing Day shoot, which he was reportedly supposed to be leading.

Until 1992, the royals celebrated their family Christmas at Windsor Castle but after a devastating fire that swept through the castle – and contributed to the Christmas message in which the Queen spoke of her “annus horribilis” – the venue switched to Sandringham.