Princess Anne, 73, has been hospitalized with minor injuries and a concussion following an incident on Sunday evening at her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, Buckingham Palace confirmed. Emergency services responded to treat injuries believed to have been caused by an impact with a horse's head or leg.
The palace stated that Princess Anne was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where she remains under observation as a precaution. Doctors expect her to fully recover, though they have advised her to postpone scheduled engagements, including an upcoming trip to Canada.
"Her Royal Highness sends her apologies for any inconvenience caused," a palace spokesperson said.
Princess Anne, a respected member of the Royal Family known for her equestrian achievements, resides at Gatcombe Park. Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, visited her at the hospital, where they had lunch together.
Due to her hospitalization, Princess Anne will not attend a state banquet hosted by the King in honor of Japanese Emperor Naruhito's visit to the UK. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer, have expressed their wishes for her speedy recovery.
This incident compounds a challenging year for the Royal Family, which has faced health concerns for several members. Reports from The Telegraph indicate that Princess Anne has experienced temporary memory loss as a result of the incident. Her progress will be closely monitored at Southmead Hospital, renowned for its trauma care services in southwest England.
[Information sourced from Sky News, The Independent]
