Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
She’s never been one for public praise so quite how it’s gone down at Gatcombe Park remains a mystery but the Princess Royal has been given an emotional tribute by her nephew as she returns to work.
Princess Anne attended her first public engagement since spending five days in hospital with concussion and minor head injuries and the Prince and Princess of Wales praised her return with a gushing social media post.
William and Catherine hailed Anne as a ”super trooper” and added that it was ”so great to see you back so soon”.
The message was signed ‘W & C’ and ended with a kiss.
The supportive statement came just hours after the Princess attended a prize giving ceremony for the Riding for the Disabled Association in Gloucestershire.
In her typical, no nonsense way, Anne had addressed questions about her health on arrival. As she stepped out of her car, she told those waiting for her that she couldn’t remember a single thing about the accident that put her in hospital.
The Princess was found at her home at Gatcombe Park on June 23rd with injuries consistent with being kicked by a horse. She was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol and spent five nights there before returning home.
Buckingham Palace has said the Princess will have a gradual return to public duties and her usually packed diary has been scaled back.
As she made her first appearance since the accident, there were still signs of bruising on a cheek and the engagement was trimmed back from two hours to one to accommodate her recovery.
However, the Princess refused a chair for most of the engagement and spent plenty of time talking to riders and those who support them.
Her choice of engagement was important, too. The Princess Royal has been associated with the RDA since 1971 and it holds a place very close to her heart. Her decision to make it the subject of her first appearance since the accident has given it a global spotlight as interest in her return has been huge.
And that interest was sealed with a kiss from the Prince and Princess of Wales.