Princess Anne ‘can’t remember’ accident which left her with head injury in hospital – as she misses key engagement
PRINCESS Anne “can’t remember” the accident which has left her laid up in hospital with a head injury.
The Princess Royal was rushed to hospital on Sunday evening following an incident with a “horse’s head or legs” on the Gatcombe Park estate.
It is understood Anne was walking around the grounds with horses in the vicinity.
The 73-year-old was admitted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she remains and is expected to make a full recovery, Buckingham Palace has said.
But the Royal is now understood to have suffered memory loss after sustaining the injury and is being forced to take time off from engagements.
Anne was conscious on Monday and the struggle to remember is only thought to be temporary.
An Air Ambulance was deployed to the Princess’ estate but was not needed after treatment at the scene.
The late Queen’s only daughter is expected to stay in hospital for the remainder of this week.
She has had to cancel her upcoming engagements – including a trip to Canada for a planned tour and the State Banquet today.
Buckingham Palace said: “Her Royal Highness is receiving appropriate expert care. No further details are being shared at this stage.
“Her Royal Highness will remain in Southmead Hospital unless or until her medical team advise otherwise.
“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.
“The Japanese State Visit will go ahead as planned, though sadly Her Royal Highness will be unable to attend the State banquet.”
All the events Princess Anne will miss this week
Tuesday
- Thirtieth Commonwealth Agricultural Conference at Gogarburn Conference Centre, Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh.
- State Banquet for the Japanese State Visit
Wednesday
- Thirtieth Commonwealth Agricultural Conference Dinner at The Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Newbridge, Edinburgh.
- Opening of Warsash Sailing Club’s Renovated Clubhouse at Shore House, Shore Road, Warsash, Southampton, Hampshire.
- Visit to the Community Sailing Programme on the occasion of its Fortieth Anniversary at Bath Road, Lymington, Hampshire.
Thursday
- Visit to the Hospice at Randolph Hill, Fankerton, Denny, Stirling and Falkirk.
- Thirtieth Commonwealth Agricultural Conference and AGM at Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Friday
- Fiftieth Anniversary Charity Polo Day at Cirencester Park Polo Club, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Saturday-Monday
- Visit to Canada
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun Anne will listen to medics’ advice and take time off from her duties – but will be itching to return.
He said: “I think that obviously, and given the fact that she is nearly 74, there clearly will be a period that she will need to rest and recuperate.
“But Princess Anne is made of extremely stern stuff, very reminiscent of her father, Prince Philip, because, I mean he was regarded as even the most impatient patient, and I suspect that she will be too.
“She will be dying to return to work and will find [being in hospital] tremendously frustrating.
“She is invaluable to the Royal Family and is someone respected for her work ethic.
“As far as Princess Anne is concerned, it’s [all about] dedication, devotion to duty, and it is very much the ethic which she has inherited from her parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
“There will be a period where obviously she will be encouraged to take it easy, but equally duty calls, and she will be there.”
The former Olympian is expected to make a full recovery and to return home later this week.
Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and son Peter Phillips were on the estate at the time, along with her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
King Charles, Queen Camilla, Anne’s brothers Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and her nephew Prince William were notified yesterday evening.
The princess was last seen enjoying Ladies Day at Royal Ascot last Thursday.
Who is Princess Anne?
PRINCESS Anne was born on August 15, 1950, at Clarence House in London.
She is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
She is sixteenth in line in succession of the throne and holds the title of Princess Royal.
After finishing her education at Benenden School, she set out on a sports career as an equestrian.
She was the first member of the Royal Family to ever compete in the Olympic Games when she represented Britain in 1976.
This came after she won a gold medal in 1971 and two silver medals in 1975 at the European Eventing Championships.
In the 1976 Montreal Olympics, Princess Anne rode her mother’s horse, Goodwill, during the three-day equestrian event but unfortunately failed to earn herself a medal.
After a successful career, she became part of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) in 1988.
She was previously the president of the International Equestrian Federation from 1987 to 1993 and now serves as the Honorary President of the British Olympic Association.
Most of her charity work has to do with sports, sciences, people with disabilities and health in developing countries.
Princess Anne lives with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence at Gatcombe Park.
The residence is located in Gloucestershire and is also the home to her children Peter and Zara.