Princess Anne in hospital with concussion and minor injuries
Her Royal Highness is in hospital after an incident at home
Last updated 24th Jun 2024
Princess Anne is recovering in hospital after sustaining a concussion and minor injuries after an incident in her home.
The Princess Royal is in Southmead hospital in Bristol after the incident, which took place yesterday evening at her home on the Gatcombe Park estate.
Buckingham Palace said the trip to hospital was a precautionary measure and Her Royal Highness is expected to make a 'full and swift' recovery'.
Her brother King Charles sent his love and wishes for a speedy recovery.
What happened to Princess Anne?
It is believed the princess was kicked by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate.
Anne, a skilled horsewoman who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, was walking on her Gloucestershire estate on Sunday evening when the incident happened.
Emergency services were despatched to the estate and, after being given medical care at the scene, the princess was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for appropriate tests, treatment and observation.
The 73-year-old princess is understood to be awake but, due to her concussion, precise details of the incident cannot be ascertained at this stage.
Although the exact cause of the injuries is unconfirmed, Anne’s medical team have said her head injuries are consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.
It is understood the princess was walking within the protected perimeter of Gatcombe Park estate when the incident occurred, and no other individual is believed to have been involved.
Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, who was on the estate at the time, accompanied her to hospital.
Palace statement in full
A statement from Buckingham Palace 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.”
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