LONDON, Dec 24: The Duke of Edinburgh, the 90-year-old husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, is recovering in hospital after successful heart surgery on Friday for a blocked coronary artery, Buckingham Palace said.

The duke, also known as Prince Philip, underwent an “invasive procedure of coronary stenting” after being rushed to hospital with chest pains, the palace confirmed.

“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 pain,” the palace said in a statement.

“This was treated successfully by the minimally invasive procedure of coronary stenting,” it added. “Prince Philip will remain in hospital under observation for a short period.” In the procedure, a tube-like device called a stent is inserted into the blocked artery to open it up and help restore a healthy blood flow.

Emergency services were called to Sandringham House, where the royal family was enjoying a Christmas celebration, at around 1800 GMT and the duke was then flown by helicopter to Papworth Hospital 62 miles away, British media reported.

The royals were spending their traditional Christmas holiday at the Queen's 60-acre estate in Norfolk, southeast England, where Prince William's wife Catherine is spending her first Christmas as a member of the royal family.

The Queen and Prince Philip traditionally spend Christmas Day morning at St Mary Magdalene Church.—AFP