Countess of Wessex in hospital

LONDON, England -- The wife of Britain's Prince Edward has undergone an emergency operation after being airlifted to hospital, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, was said to be comfortable after the operation at London's King Edward VII Hospital.

The palace confirmed to CNN that she was taken to hospital by air ambulance.

Buckingham Palace has not confirmed why Sophie was admitted to hospital but it is understood she suffered complications with her pregnancy, which had not been made public.

A Palace spokeswoman said: "Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex is currently recovering in the Kind Edward VII Hospital following an emergency operation.

"The Countess was taken to hospital by air ambulance Thursday morning after feeling unwell overnight. She is expected to stay in hospital for the next few days.

"The Earl of Wessex has been with the Countess following her operation."

The spokeswoman added: "I cannot comment on the nature of the operation - this is medical in confidence. However, her condition is described as comfortable."

Sophie and Edward were married in Windsor, southern England, in June 1999 after a six-month engagement and by November 2000 bookmakers were offering odds on the Countess being pregnant.

In April this year the Countess told the national Sunday tabloid, the News of the World: "If I'm lucky enough to have any (children), one of each would be nice. I certainly don't think I have left it too late."