Princess Anne is in hospital after struggling ‘accidents and concussion’
Princess Anne is in hospital today after suffering minor injuries to her head and concussion when it is believed she was kicked by a horse at Gatcombe Park.
The King’s 73-year-old sister, an Olympic-medal winning horsewoman, was walking on her estate in Gloucestershire yesterday evening when the incident happened.
Emergency services arrived at the scene and Anne was given medical care before being taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests, treatment and observation.
She was left with minor wounds to the head, and her medical team are understood to believe these are consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.
Anne’s engagements this week have been postponed on doctors’ advice, including a trip to Canada and her attendance at a banquet for the Japanese state visit.
Princess Anne arrives by carriage on day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 20
The Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire (file picture)
Announcing the news at 12.20pm today, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘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.’
Anne’s husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, were all on the estate at the time.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Anne’s other siblings, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew, were all informed.
Anne with Lady Sarah Chatto and opposite husband Sir Tim Laurence at Ascot last Thursday
A palace spokesman said Anne was ‘recovering well’ and in a ‘comfortable condition’. Subject to medical advice, she is expected to be able to return home later this week.
It is understood she has suffered concussion and minor injuries to the head, but she is expected to make a full recovery.
A royal spokesman added: ‘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. Sir Tim Laurence accompanied Her Royal Highness to hospital.’
The spokesman also confirmed that on doctors’ advice, Anne’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,’ they added.
A planned trip to Canada at the end of this week has also been cancelled.
Plans are being examined in close consultation with the Canadian Government as to how the Princess’s proposed engagements may be adapted in her absence.
The Japanese State Visit will go ahead as planned, though the Princess will be unable to attend the State banquet tomorrow.
