Princess Anne, aged 73, sustained a head injury and concussion following an incident involving a horse on her estate at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire. She is currently hospitalized for treatment, tests, and observation.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement:
“The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening.
“Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery.
“The king has been kept closely informed and joins the whole royal family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to the princess for a speedy recovery.”
Princess Anne was within the secured area of her Gatcombe Park estate when the incident happened, surrounded by horses.
Medical experts suspect her minor head injuries resulted from contact with a horse’s head or legs.
Princess Anne, who was walking and not riding at the time, sustained a concussion during an incident involving a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate.
She was conscious when taken to Southmead hospital after receiving initial medical care at the scene.
Her husband, V Adm Sir Tim Laurence, accompanied her to the hospital. Despite her condition, precise details of the accident are unclear due to the effects of the concussion.
Princess Anne, known for her equestrian achievements, including an Olympic medal, is expected to recover at home later this week.
However, her scheduled engagements, including a visit to Canada, have been postponed based on medical advice, with plans under review in consultation with the Canadian government.
Due to her injuries and recovery needs, Princess Anne will unfortunately miss the palace banquet scheduled for the Japanese state visit on Tuesday.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said:
“Her Royal Highness is recovering well, is in a comfortable condition and is being kept in hospital as a precautionary measure for further observation.
“Her Royal Highness is receiving appropriate expert care. No further details are being shared at this stage.
“Her Royal Highness will remain in Southmead hospital unless or until her medical team advise otherwise.”
King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, and Anne’s siblings, the Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of York, were all notified last night about Princess Anne’s condition and the incident involving the horse.
The palace spokesperson said:
“On doctors’ advice, Her Royal Highness’s engagements for the week ahead will be postponed. Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.
“The Japanese state visit will go ahead as planned, though sadly Her Royal Highness will be unable to attend the state banquet tomorrow.”
An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene but was ultimately unnecessary for transporting Princess Anne to Southmead Hospital, which is part of the North Bristol NHS Trust.
The hospital is equipped with various specialties, including neuroscience and a major trauma center for adults.
Anne has been a pivotal figure in the reduced operational monarchy under King Charles, and she has recently taken on significant responsibilities in supporting Charles and the Princess of Wales during their cancer treatments.
Princess Anne is renowned as one of the hardest-working royals, often representing Charles in numerous duties while he has been gradually returning to public engagements. Her passion for horses is well-documented, and she is highly accomplished in equestrian sports.
She notably won the individual championship at Burghley in 1971 and was honored as BBC Sports Personality of the Year. In 1976, she competed in the Montreal Olympics as a member of the British equestrian team.
Recently at Trooping the Colour, she demonstrated her skill in handling a horse that appeared unsettled.
Known for her practical and straightforward approach, Princess Anne also faced a harrowing incident in 1974 when she and her then-husband, Capt Mark Phillips, survived an attempted kidnapping by a gunman on the Mall en route to Buckingham Palace.
During the attempted kidnapping in 1974 by Ian Ball, Princess Anne famously remained composed. When Ball demanded £2 million and told her to come with him, she retorted,
“Not bloody likely, and I haven’t got £2 million.”
Her steadfast response and refusal to cooperate played a crucial role in thwarting the abduction attempt.
