Princess Anne, the 73-year-old sister of King Charles III, has been hospitalized following a domestic accident at her residence in Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire. Buckingham Palace announced that the princess sustained minor injuries and was admitted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol as a precautionary measure. The palace statement assured that she is "well" and is expected to "make a full recovery."
The cause of the injury is believed to be related to a horse, as reported by British media outlets such as The Telegraph and the BBC. The princess, an avid horsewoman with a competitive equestrian background, was reportedly injured by a horse while walking within the Gatcombe Park estate. She sustained minor head injuries and was treated by emergency services before being transferred to the hospital for further observation.
The incident has led to the cancellation of Princess Anne's upcoming engagements, including a banquet in honor of the Japanese emperors and a planned visit to Canada. The princess expressed her apologies to those affected by the cancellations. Despite the unfortunate incident, the royal family remains optimistic about her recovery, with King Charles III and other family members sending their best wishes.
Princess Anne has been one of the most active members of the British royal family, carrying out a significant portion of royal engagements in 2024. She has undertaken 31.4% of all royal engagements in the first third of the year, far exceeding the contributions of her siblings. Her dedication to her duties has been particularly notable given the health challenges faced by other family members, including King Charles III and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who are both undergoing cancer treatment.
Despite her busy schedule, Princess Anne has continued to fulfill her responsibilities diligently. In 2023, she was the hardest-working member of the royal family, completing 457 royal engagements. Her commitment to her duties has been unwavering, even as she navigates personal and family health challenges.
- Princess Anne's love for horses is well-documented, having won a gold medal at the 1971 European Eventing Championships and competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics as a member of the British equestrian team. Her daughter, Zara, once remarked that her mother's mantra for life is: "if you fall, get back up and try again."
- Princess Anne was born in 1950 as the second daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. She was third in line to the throne at birth but is now 17th in line. She has been married twice, first to Captain Mark Phillips, with whom she has two children, Peter and Zara, and currently to Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
