'Good Spirited' Philip To Stay In Hospital - Sky News

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6:26pm UK, Monday December 26, 2011

Prince Philip will spend a fourth night in hospital following heart surgery.

Buckingham Palace said the Duke of Edinburgh was in "good spirits" at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire, where he was taken on Friday after complaining of chest pains.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Duke is in good spirits and will remain in hospital under observation for a short period.

"The Queen will continue to be briefed on his condition. We do not have details of a release date at this stage."

The Palace said there was no change this morning but added that the 90-year-old had spent another "good night" at Papworth.

Prince Harry and his cousins Beatrice and Eugenie visiting Philip

Sky's royal correspondent Paul Harrison, outside the hospital, said: "The news from Buckingham Palace is quite simply that he has had another good night in hospital.

"That is three good nights in a row - that has got to be good news."

Members of the Royal Family visited the Duke at his hospital bedside on Christmas Day.

Prince William and his brother Prince Harry drove separate cars to Papworth to see their grandfather.

The Duke of York's daughters Beatrice and Eugenie and the Princess Royal's children Zara and Peter were also in the group.

They dropped in to see the Duke following their Christmas lunch at the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The rest of the Royal Family attended the Christmas service on the Queen's private estate on Sunday morning.

It is thought to have been the first time Philip missed the ceremony at St Mary Magdalene Church, which has been an annual tradition for the royals since the early 1990s.

As they walked to the church the royals told onlookers that the Duke was "getting much better" and was "in very good spirits".

The Prince of Wales described his father as "resilient" and "very determined".

Prayers were said for him during the service, which was broadcast to crowds outside the church.

Sandringham rector the Rev Jonathan Riviere told the congregation: "We pray for the Queen and the Royal Family. Especially today we pray for Prince Philip and his continued recovery."

After Philip was taken to the specialist heart hospital, doctors carried out tests and discovered a blocked artery.

He underwent a "minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting", which was declared a success.

This is the most serious health scare suffered by the Duke, who is known for being robust and active.