A bandaged hand could be spotted under the high-visibility jacket and hard hat of the Queen's husband as he recovers from an operation on Monday (June 7).

The Prince is a former competitive international carriage driver and President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).

He is also a senior fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering so he was not only interested in the mammoth engineering tasks at the 2.5sq km Stratford site but also about how the athletes will be treated at the Games, according to Coe, the chairman of London 2012.

Coe said: "He has a very broad understanding of sport and the nature and complexity of putting an Olympic Games together.

"His focus was on the competitors and, I think, he was very impressed by the way we have put athletes and competitors centre stage."

With Coe and Olympic Delivery Authority chairman John Armitt as guides, the Prince was taken 30 foot up to view the Olympic Stadium.

The western stand where members of the Royal Family, the International Olympic Committee and other VIPs will sit in 2012 was pointed out.

The Duke was also taken through the work being done on the wave-like roof of the aquatics centre - the most difficult engineering structure at the Olympic Park.

Workers are cladding the ceiling in timber, while he also saw work for the vital bridge over which 70 per cent of spectators are expected to come to the venue.

Armitt said: "There were constant questions [on the technical aspects)]as you would expect.

"Prince Philip was also interested in some of the media issues and about the smaller sports getting coverage."