The British Queen had to mark the Christmas day without the Duke of Edinburgh on her side as he is recovering from an emergency heart surgery.

The queen had visited her husband at Papworth Hospital near Cambridge along with other members of the Royal family. She was accompanies by Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal and the Duke of York. The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall were also reported to have visited their grandfather.

The Buckingham Palace said that Philip had spent a 'good night' following the treatment for a blocked coronary artery on Friday night. However, the announcement said that it is not known when the duke will be discharged from the hospital.

“He is being kept in under observation for a short time but we don't have a release date yet,” said a spokesman for the Buckingham Palace.

Medical experts say that several patients can leave hospital a day after undergoing the procedure but those patients who undergo the treatment under emergency stay longer. It is believed that he will remain in hospital for a day or so for further monitoring.