Princess Anne, 73, in hospital with head injury & concussion after ‘impact with horse’s head or legs’ on walk
PRINCESS Anne has been rushed to hospital with a head injury after an "impact with a horse's head or legs".
The Princess Royal suffered "minor injuries and concussion" at her Gloucestershire home Gatcombe Park yesterday evening.
It is understood Anne was walking around the estate with horses in the vicinity.
The exact cause of her injuries is unconfirmed but it is understood they are consistent with a possible blow from a horse's head or legs.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene and gave Anne medical care before taking her to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
She remains in the hospital for observation, Buckingham Palace has said.
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Anne's engagements this week have been cancelled and it is understood she will not be able to fly to Canada for a planned tour.
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 tomorrow."
The princess 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.
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
The princess was last seen enjoying Ladies Day at Royal Ascot last Thursday.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "Everyone in the country is immensely fond of Her Royal Highness."
The PM added: "We're all sending her our best wishes for a swift recovery."
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: ";Wishing Her Royal Highness a speedy recovery.
"Sending my best wishes on behalf of all of us at the Labour Party."
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.
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