Princess Anne's husband visits her in hospital after she was hit on the head by a horse and given concussion
25 June 2024, 13:01
Princess Anne has been visited by her husband after she was hit on the head by a horse, suffering concussion.
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Sir Tim Laurence visited the Princess Royal at Southmead Hospital in Bristol on Tuesday, after she was injured in an ‘impact with a horse’s head or legs’ while walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
Anne and Sir Tim were expected to eat lunch together.
She suffered minor head wounds and is being kept at the hospital under observation for a few days, although she is "recovering well".
The injury means all her upcoming engagements have been cancelled, including a working visit to Canada she had planned for Thursday.
Anne and Sir Tim have been married since 1992, three years after she separated from Mark Phillips, the father of her children.
Despite the injuries, she is said to be conscious and comfortable and is expected to make a ‘full and swift’ recovery.
Anne, 73, was walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire when she was said to have been kicked by the horse, and suffered a concussion and minor injuries to her head.
The injuries were consistent with being hit by a horse's head or legs. The Princess Royal was treated on the estate before being taken to hospital.
Sir Tim, Anne's daughter Zara Tindall and son Mr Peter Phillips were on the estate at the time. Sir Tim went with Anne to hospital.
Earlier on Monday, a former staff member told MailOnline: “She’s an amazing woman and will quickly bounce back.
“No-one would ever dare to tell her to slow down when I was there and I doubt it will change even after this.”
King Charles made public his 'fondest love and well-wishes' for his sister.
Anne in hospital with concussion after being injured by horse
King Charles and Queen Camilla, Anne's other siblings and Prince Williams were all informed of the incident.
Palace officials think Anne will be able to come home next week. She has had to postpone official engagements, and will not be able to fly for an official visit to Canada, as had been planned for the end of this week.
A Japanese state visit will still go ahead, but Anne will not be attending.
Anne has been a keen horse rider for most of her life. She was the first member of the royal family to take part in the Olympics in 1976 with the British eventing team. She suffered a concussion during the games.
Officials 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."
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "Everyone in the country is immensely fond of Her Royal Highness. We're all sending her our best wishes for a swift recovery."
Sir Keir Starmer said: “Wishing Her Royal Highness a speedy recovery and sending my best wishes on behalf of all of us at the Labour Party.”
