Duke of Edinburgh has heart surgery for blocked artery
Prince Philip taken from Sandringham to Papworth hospital in Cambridge after suffering chest pains
The Duke of Edinburgh has been taken to hospital for tests after suffering chest pains, Buckingham Palace says.
Prince Philip, 90, was flown by helicopter from Sandringham to the cardiothoracic unit at Papworth hospital in Cambridge for "precautionary checks".
Papworth is Britain's largest hospital that specialises in heart and lung surgery. Buckingham Palace later said the prince had been found to have a blocked coronary artery and had undergone surgery for the condition. He was expected to stay overnight in hospital.
The prince would normally have been welcoming guests to the Queen's private home in Norfolk for the royal family's Christmas celebrations.
Dickie Arbiter, a former press secretary to the Queen, said: "The Duke of Edinburgh's health is actually pretty good, given that he is 90."
Arbiter, a royal commentator for Sky News, told the broadcaster: "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."
Margaret Holder, a royal commentator, told the BBC: "It's obviously very worrying for the Queen and the rest of the royal family who are gathering at Sandringham for Christmas."
"It might not be as serious as it sounds, 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.
"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.
"A lot of people that age could not even manage to deal with the long flights there and back.
"I think it might have taken something out of him, I think they are pushing him to the limits doing that."Former BBC royal correspo! ndent Je nnie Bond said the news was "very sad" and "clearly disruptive" for their family Christmas.
She told the BBC: "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."
Dr Simon Davies, consultant intervention cardiologist at the Royal Brompton hospital in London, said the prince could be suffering from heart problems.
"The first thing to think about is who is having the pain. You just have to be suspicious that it's the heart just because he is a man and he is 90."
He said treatment was likely to include an electrocardiogram, which records the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart, and blood tests.
Prince Philip has shunned the pursuits of typical pensioners, and even as an octogenarian continued to compete in demanding carriage-driving competitions.
He has just completed a busy 11-day official royal tour to Australia with the Queen that saw them visit Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.
Commentators described the long-haul trip as the couple's last to the continent because of their age, but the palace dismissed speculation that it was a "farewell" visit.
Arrivals at Sandringham continue into Saturday before family members are due to attend the morning service on Christmas Day at St Mary Magdalene church on the royal estate.
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