Prince Philip has heart operation

The Duke of Edinburgh has been successfully treated for a blocked coronary artery after being taken to hospital with chest pains, Buckingham Palace said today.

Prince Philip was flown from Sandringham to Papworth Hospital in Cambridge last night, where an "invasive procedure of coronary stenting" was performed under local anaesthetic.

The Queen's husband, who is aged 90, will remain in hospital for observation for a short period. Buckingham Palace said: "Following tests at Papworth Cardiothoracic Hospital in Cambridge this evening the Duke of Edinburgh was found to have a blocked coronary artery which 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 Duke is expected to be in hospital for the immediate Christmas period and is likely to be visited by some of the Royals gathered in the Queen's private estate in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Dr Simon Davies, cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, said the prince may have been on the verge of a heart attack or actually had one. He said: "They will have put a miniature sausage-shaped balloon down the artery, pushed the balloon into the narrowed section and then blown it up. That forces the material that is blocking the artery outwards and then gets the blood flowing down the artery again.

"The stent is like a little metal sleeve fitted over the balloon when it is blown up.

"This metallic sleeve is opened up and then when the balloon is deflated and withdrawn the stent stays behind."

If he makes good progress the Duke could still be back at Sandringham for the Boxing Day shoot. Prince Philip will be touring the UK with the Queen to celebrate her diamond jubilee next year, which includes a visit to the West Midlands in July 11 and 12.

By Peter Allen