Britain’s Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, sustained minor injuries and a concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate on Sunday evening. Buckingham Palace confirmed the news, stating that the Princess is currently under observation at Southmead Hospital in Bristol as a precautionary measure.
Details of the incident
Princess Anne, 73, was walking on the grounds of Gatcombe Park, where her home is located when the incident occurred. According to a royal source quoted by Reuters, there were horses in the vicinity, and her head injuries are consistent with an impact from a horse’s head or legs.
Medical update
Buckingham Palace updated the Princess’s condition, stating, “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 Palace also noted, “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.”
Background of Princess Anne
Born at Clarence House in London, Princess Anne is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. An accomplished equestrian, she began competing in horse riding events at a young age. In 1971, she won the individual title at the European Eventing Championship and made history in 1976 as the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games, participating in the Montreal Olympics as part of the British equestrian team.
Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973, with whom she has two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall. Notably, she chose to forgo royal titles for her children, aiming to provide them with a more grounded upbringing. After her divorce from Mark Phillips in 1992, Anne married Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence later that year. The couple resides at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, which also serves as a center for equestrian events.
The Royal Family and the public await Princess Anne’s swift recovery. Her resilience and dedication to her equestrian pursuits are well known, and her latest incident underscores her enduring connection to horses and the outdoors.
