Princess Anne, 73, has been hospitalized following a minor head injury and concussion believed to have been caused by a horse at her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire on Sunday.
Buckingham Palace reports that she is “recovering well” and is in comfortable condition, expecting a full and swift recovery.
Her medical team attributes the head injury to an impact consistent with contact from a horse’s legs or head.
“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,” the palace statement added.
Due to her concussion, the Princess’s upcoming trip to Canada has been postponed, and she will miss the state banquet for the Japanese state visit on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening while Princess Anne was walking on her estate, where horses were present. The exact cause of her head wound remains uncertain due to the concussion.
Emergency services responded promptly, transporting her to Southmead Hospital, Bristol, where she remains conscious. As a precaution, she will stay in the hospital until later this week for observation.
Southmead Hospital, part of the North Bristol NHS Trust, specializes in various medical fields, including neuroscience.
Accompanying her to the hospital was her husband, Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who was present with her daughter Zara and son Peter at the estate.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace confirmed, “The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening.”
According to NHS guidelines, concussion results from a temporary brain injury due to impact, causing symptoms such as forgetfulness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, with recovery often taking a few weeks.
Princess Anne’s hospitalization adds to recent health challenges within the Royal Family, including King Charles and the Princess of Wales both facing cancer diagnoses this year, affecting their public engagements.
Despite this, Princess Anne, renowned for her diligent work ethic, has continued to fulfill royal duties in their absence, maintaining high approval ratings for her no-nonsense approach and dedication to public service.
She is celebrated for her equestrian prowess and as the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the Olympics, representing Britain at the Montreal Games in 1976.
Born as the second child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, she was third in line to the throne at birth and currently ranks 17th in succession. Princess Anne has been married twice, with Captain Mark Phillips being the father of her children, Peter and Zara.
