In welcome news for royal watchers, Princess Anne is said to be “recovering well” in hospital after sustaining a head injury, which is believed to have been caused by a horse.

The Princess Royal was reportedly kicked by a horse on her Gloucestershire property on Sunday, June 23, sustaining minor head injuries and a concussion. Emergency services were dispatched to the estate, and after receiving medical care at the scene, the Princess was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for further tests, treatment, and observation.

Following the incident, Buckingham Palace announced the news of her accident to the public in a statement, confirming that she is “expected to make a full and swift recovery”.

“The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening,” the statement read.

“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.”

Now, during a recent visit to see Princess Anne in hospital, her husband Tim Laurence provided an update to well-wishers on her condition.

“She is recovering well, thank you,” he said.

“We are both profoundly grateful to the medical team and hospital support staff for their expert care – and to the emergency services who were all so wonderful at the scene.

“We are both deeply touched by all the kind messages we have received from so many people near and far. It means a great deal.”

While the Princess is expected to return home this week, her upcoming engagements have been postponed, a royal source revealed to Reuters.

Princess Anne’s accident and hospitalisation come as the Royal Family struggles with a series of ongoing health challenges with both King Charles and the Princess of Wales diagnosed with and undergoing treatment for cancer.

Anne’s accident also serves as a blow to an already slimmed-down Monarchy, given her commitment to her royal duties and her reputation as the hardest-working member of the Royal Family. 

-with Reuters.