Princess Anne is as well known for her tireless commitment to public service as she is for her love of horses. Unfortunately, the latter saw the Princess Royal spend five days in hospital with a concussion and minor head injuries.
On the day of the incident, the 73-year-old was seen walking near the horses on her Gatcombe Park estate. And, while the exact cause of her injuries remains uncertain, her medical team suggested they were consistent with an impact from a horse’s head or legs.
A GRADUAL COMEBACK FOR PRINCESS ANNE
Anne looked healthy and well, despite a bruised face, as she stepped out in public for the first time in almost three weeks. She was attending the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships on 12 July 2024.
The RDA was celebrating its 55th anniversary. And her Royal Highness was clearly back in her element, beaming from ear to ear as she chatted away to members of the public.
In true Princess-Royal fashion, reports confirmed that one of the first things she said as she got out of the car was, “I can’t remember a single thing about it.” And that was that. It seemed as though it was ‘business as usual’ for the “hardest-working royal“.
MORE ENGAGEMENTS CUT
However, Princess Anne has since cut many upcoming engagements from her diary. The Princess Royal has cancelled some appearances next week in Scotland and Norfolk as she and her medical team manage her work schedule.
She also reportedly won’t head to Scotland either on July 22th and 23rd where she was going to visit the NLV Pharos, a lighthouse tender.
According to PEOPLE, royal aides say that because of the long distances from her home in Gloucestershire, England, it wasn’t possible for Princess Anne to head to Scotland this time.
Instead, the Princess Royal is continuing with her rest and recuperation. And she is expected to carry out further public royal duties only when her medical team gives her the green light.
On July 25th, Anne was expected to visit Norfolk’s Brancaster Station in her role as the Royal Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution. Now, that trip has been removed from her diary.
So too has her visit to the Citizens Advice office in Norwich, according to local outlet Norwich Evening News reported on July 16th.
The royal was discharged from hospital on June 28th to rest and recuperate at home. Her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence thanked the Southmead Hospital team for “their care, expertise and kindness” during her stay.
Princess Anne’s hospitalisation is the latest health challenge facing the Royal Family. Her brother King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales have both been hit with a cancer diagnosis this year, limiting their public engagements.
