Prince Philip undergoes heart surgery

LONDON, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Britain's Prince Philip has undergone emergency heart surgery and is expected to remain hospitalized for a day or so, his representatives said.

The 90-year-old duke of Edinburgh, who has enjoyed good health most of his life, fell ill as the royal family gathered Friday for Christmas at Sandringham, his wife Queen Elizabeth II's private Norfolk estate, The Daily Mail reported.

"His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was taken to Papworth Cardio Thoracic Centre in Cambridge this evening from Sandringham House for precautionary tests after experiencing chest pain," the newspaper quoted Buckingham Palace as saying in a statement Friday night. "Following tests at Papworth, the Duke of Edinburgh was found to have a blocked coronary 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 for observation for a short period."