Duke of Edinburgh on good form, says Anne after visiting Philip in hospital

The Princess Royal has described the Duke of Edinburgh as "on good form" after she paid her father a visit in hospital following his hip operation.

The Queen also gave an update telling a well-wisher in Windsor "he said he's getting on very well" when asked about Philip's recovery.

The head of state's comment suggests that although she has not visited her husband - who was spending his 10th day in hospital and is known to prefer no fuss - they have been in contact.

Anne spent 50 minutes at the private King Edward VII hospital in central London with her father, who had the planned surgery last Wednesday to replace his joint with a prosthetic implant.

She is believed to be the first member of the royal family to visit the duke in hospital after his operation.

The Queen's comment about Philip came during a brief walkabout after a visit to the King George VI Day Centre in Windsor to mark the 60th anniversary of her opening the building.

At the time of the operation Buckingham Palace said the surgery to replace the joint had been a success and Philip was "comfortable and in good spirits".

The duke will have already begun his rehabilitation moving with the aid of a stick or crutches, and will face weeks of more aftercare as he learns to walk again on his new hip.

For about a month before the operation the duke had complained about trouble with the joint but medical experts have said a few weeks after a hip replacement patients are usually back to their normal lifestyle, free from pain.

The Queen Mother underwent two successful hip replacement operations in the 1990s, first a planned procedure when aged 95 then later an emergency operation when 97 following a fall.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding is on May 19 and the major family occasion is likely to be the first public appearance by the Queen's consort.