‘Every day is a bonus’: Princess Anne reflects on accident that left her hospitalised

Princess Anne has shared how an accident last year that left her in hospital with a concussion made her reflect on just how “jolly lucky” she is, and how “every day is a bonus.”

The Princess Royal was reportedly kicked by a horse on her Gloucestershire property on Sunday, June 23, 2024 sustaining minor head injuries and a concussion. Emergency services quickly responded, and after initial treatment on site, Anne was taken to hospital for further observation and care.

Despite the severity of the incident, Anne made a swift recovery and returned to her royal duties shortly after being discharged.

Now, while speaking to the Press Association during a trip to South Africa, Anne reflected on the incident, revealing that has no memory of the event.

“No, nothing,” she said, as per the BBC.

“I know where I thought I was going and that was to go to the chickens, no, nothing to do with horses.”

The experience, however, has served as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.

“It just reminds you, shows you – you never quite know, something [happens] and you might not recover,” she said.

“You’re jolly lucky… if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis [of sound mind] and last summer I was very close to not being.

“Take each day as it comes, they say.”

While the Princess hasn’t experienced any long-term negative effects from the accident, she said it made her realise that “every day is a bonus”.

In the same interview, Anne also dismissed any thoughts of retirement, saying with characteristic resolve: “I don’t think there’s a retirement programme on this particular life.”

“It really isn’t written in, no. It isn’t really an option, no, I don’t think so,” she added.

Anne’s commitment to royal life should come as no surprise after she recently secured the title of hardest working member of the Royal Family for the fourth consecutive year having completed 217 engagements in 2024.

The numbers were tallied by Reboot Online after analysing the Court Circular, as per GB News.

Despite his ongoing battle with cancer, King Charles followed closely behind his sister in second place with 186 engagements throughout the year.

Surprisingly, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, claimed third place with 126 royal engagements in 2024. Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, took fourth place with 124 engagements, while his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, came in fifth with 108.

Queen Camilla completed 95 engagements, taking sixth place.

The Prince and Princess of Wales understandably carried out fewer engagements this year given Catherine’s battle with cancer. With Prince William’s focus on family, he completed 71 engagements, while Catherine managed 11 as she prioritised her health.