As Royal Ascot was in full swing in Berkshire, the Princess Royal was involved in a horse riding accident on Sunday 23 June at her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. The sister of King Charles III was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for “minor injuries and a concussion”, revealed the BBC. This incident forced the seasoned rider to postpone her next trip to Canada, particularly because according to former royal correspondent Michael Cole, “this is not a minor accident”. Indeed, Zara Tindall’s mother would be “unable to remember” what happened due to the injuries she suffered, revealed the Dailymail.
Since then, the Princess Royal “recovering slowly” and will be released from the hospital “when she’s ready”, declared her husband this Wednesday, June 25. Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, gave a brief report on developments after visiting his wife. He, however, declined to speculate on when she would be well enough to return home. Buckingham Palace has already expressed hope that she will be released from hospital later this week. Sir Tim, who spent two and a half hours with the princess, also visited her on Tuesday June 24. Leaving the hospital on this occasion, he declared that she “was fine” and described his recovery as “slow but sure”.
Gatcombe Park: Princess Anne’s paradise, gifted by Queen Elizabeth II
The retired naval officer accompanied the Princess Royal on the ambulance ride from their property to the hospital after the accident. While there were no witnesses to Anne’s accident, the Southmead medical team said the princess’s injuries were consistent with the potential impact of a horse’s head or legs. A former Olympic equestrian champion, the only daughter of Elizabeth II was walking on her property when the incident occurred. The house and farm at Gatcombe Park were purchased by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976 as a gift for Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, who had married three years previously. Built at the end of the 18th century, they were acquired by the Crown for an amount of between 500,000 and 750,000 pounds. Since then, it has been a haven for the Princess Royal, who also has a residence at St James’s Palace in London.
Article written in collaboration with 6Médias.
Photo credits: Mirrorpix / Bestimage
