Queen Elizabeth visits Philip in hospital

Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in an April 24, 2011 file photo. / Chris Ison - WPA Pool/Getty Images

LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II paid a quick visit on Saturday to her husband, who is recovering from a heart operation at a hospital in Cambridge.

Prince Philip, 90, was taken to the hospital from the queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk late Friday after experiencing chest pains. He had a coronary stent put in after tests found a blocked artery was to blame, though the palace has refused to say if he suffered a heart attack.

Elizabeth was flown in by helicopter and arrived at Papworth Hospital, some 70 miles from London, in a Range Rover. She was accompanied by two of her children, Princess Anne and Prince Edward. After a short visit, the royals were seen boarding the helicopter back to Sandringham.

Buckingham Palace said Philip "had a good night."

Doctors said Philip could have suffered a heart attack, but without more information it was impossible to know for sure.

Coronary stenting is standard procedure both to fend off a heart attack or save a patient already in the midst of one, said Dr. Allan Schwartz, chief of cardiology at New York-Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center.

Palace says Prince Philip given heart stent

Philip has been known to enjoy good health throughout his life and rarely misses royal engagements. Upon his 90th birthday in June, he announced plans to cut back his official duties.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron offered his support to Philip.

"The Prime Minister has been kept informed of the situation and wishes the Duke of Edinburgh a very speedy recovery," Cameron's office said.

The palace said it does not know when Philip will be released, only that he is having a "short stay" in the hospital.

Philip had been at Sandringham, the queen's sprawling rural estate in Norfolk, since Monday for the royal family's Christmas festivities.

The palace said Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family will attend church as usual on Sunday.

Another key part of the royal family's Christmas celebrations is the queen's annual message to the nation, which this year will focus on family and community.

The queen has made a prerecorded Christmas broadcast on radio since 1952 and on television since 1957. She writes the speeches herself, and the broadcasts mark the rare occasion on which the queen voices her own opinion without government consultation.

[swampy991]

Do the haters leaving their bilious, whining messages have any idea how sad they sound? This is a 90 year old great grandfather who is much loved by his family having heart problems on Christmas Eve and you still find time to post your hate filled rants. Pathetic. And by the way, to all those who like to use the usual "parasite" insult, this is someone who served as a Royal Navy officer during WW2 (1939-1945, yes WW2 started before the U.S. entered it - shock, horror!)was mentioned in dispatches for bravery and was tipped as a future Admiral of the Fleet until he married the future Queen and had to give up his career. If you think that is a parasite I feel sorry for you. Try looking around your local housing projects and trailer parks if you want parasites.

[curious2knownow]

I don't know what comments you refer to but you use words like "bilious, whining, parasite and pathetic", do you think you are no better than the people you comment against?

[Jaylah54]

Regardless of folks opinions on royalty, let's remember that this is also a family. Yes, a privileged family (like they're the only rich people in the world?) but a family none the less.

And Prince Philip is a husband, a father and a grandfather.

Maybe try a bit of empathy here? How would you feel if your father or grandfather, who was supposed to be sharing Christmas with you, was in the hospital for heart problems, instead?

[thetruthisnottthere]

Queen Elizabeth is Head of State of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other realms - she is also head of the commonwealth of 54 independent countries. She is also the only living head of state who was alive during World War 2. Show some respect.

[Shawn_Davis]

Darn right. She has been in power for over 70 years without once doing anything dishonest or causing the least amount of concern. She's been a tireless public servant, and a representative of her people.

We can't even elect a President (pick anyone in recent history) who won't stab us in the back over a 4 year period.

[curious2knownow]

She was born rich and privileged without earning anything she has, including her titles and she absolutely no power and is not a head of state. She's a tradition, that's all.

[merrily1941]

He pans to cut back on duties????? How about CUT OUT!!! Have some pece and quiet for once. Let them who wish to traipse around the world do so. Just say NO!!!

[merrily1941]

PLANS!!! Too bad CBS has no editing feature.

[curious2knownow]

Wife visits husband in hospital. That's news CBS??

[tmn]

Yes, when it's the Queen of England and her Prince husband, that is news. Correct.