The Princess Royal is in hospital with a head injury and concussion after an incident in which she was understood to have been injured by a horse.
Princess Anne, 73, suffered a concussion and minor injuries, thought to possibly have been caused by being either headbutted or kicked by a horse on her estate at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire on Sunday.
She is being kept in hospital for treatment, tests and observation.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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.”
It is understood Anne was within the protected perimeter of Gatcombe Park estate, where she lives, when the incident occurred.
There were horses in the vicinity, and her medical team believe her injuries, believed to be minor wounds to the head, are consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.
The princess was said to be conscious in hospital. However, due to the concussion she sustained the precise details of the accident are unable to be ascertained. Anne, who is an Olympic medal-winning horsewoman, was walking, not riding, at the time.
Emergency services were dispatched, and after medical care at the scene, she was transferred to Southmead hospital.
Her husband, Adm Sir Tim Laurence, and her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, were all at the estate at the time. Her husband accompanied her to hospital.
She is expected to be able to return home later this week but the incident means her planned engagements for the week ahead will be postponed.
Anne was due to visit Canada at the end of this week, but on doctors’ advice will not now travel. Plans are being examined in close consultation with the Canadian government on adapting the proposed engagements.
It also means the she will be unable to attend the palace banquet being held on Tuesday for the Japanese state visit.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Her Royal Highness is recovering well, is in a comfortable condition and is being kept in hospital as a precautionary measure for further observation.
“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.”
King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, and Anne’s other siblings, the Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of York, were all informed last night.
The palace spokesperson said: “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.”
