Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence said Princess Anne is “recovering slowly” as he left a Bristol hospital after visiting his wife.
The Princess Royal, 73 is spending her fourth day in hospital after being injured by a horse on Sunday evening.
She is being treated for concussion and minor head injuries after the incident, which took place while she was walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
Her husband spent two-and-a-half hours with Anne today and left the main Brunel building at Southmead Hospital just before 2pm.
Asked whether Anne would be being discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, he said: “She’ll be out when she’s ready.”
Anne had two visitors yesterday, from her husband and her daughter, Zara Tindall.
Sir Tim rocked up with a cool bag for his wife, which he said was full of “a few little treats from home”.
He told reporters that: “She’s doing fine, slow but sure.”
In a conversation with a well-wisher outside the hospital, Anne’s husband of over 30 years gave a more detailed comment. He said: “She is recovering well, thank you.
“We are both profoundly grateful to the medical team and hospital support staff for their expert care – and to the emergency services who were all so wonderful at the scene.
“We are both deeply touched by all the kind messages we have received from so many people near and far. It means a great deal.”
Anne’s medical team said her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.
As the “hardest working royal” takes time to heal, her duties this week been postponed. She was due to attend the state banquet to mark the start of the Japanese state visit last night, and sent her apologies for missing the lavish event.
A trip to Canada planned for the end of this week has also been postponed.