Princess Anne is hospitalized after an “incident” at her country home.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement released on June 24, “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 statement continued that her brother King Charles 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.”
Sky News reported that “emergency services were called to the scene of the incident on the Gatcombe Park estate, Bristol, on Sunday, to treat injuries consistent with the possible effects of being hit by a horse.”
Princess Anne, 73, is a skilled equestrian, having competed in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
She also rode horseback during Trooping the Colour on June 15 to celebrate King Charles’ official birthday, expertly navigating when her horse got rambunctious during the parade through London.
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The hospitalization means Princess Anne will miss planned royal engagements this week, including the state visit of Japan’s emperor and empress to the U.K., which is slated to officially kick off on June 25.
“On doctors’ advice, Her Royal Highness’s engagements for the week ahead will be postponed. Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said, according to The Guardian. “The Japanese state visit will go ahead as planned, though sadly Her Royal Highness will be unable to attend the state banquet tomorrow.”
Princess Anne has made many recent outings with the royal family, including and multiple appearances at the Royal Ascot horse races last week.
