Princess Anne leaves hospital after concussion and minor injuries

Princess Anne left hospital on June 23 after suffering a concussion and minor injuries.

The Princess Royal, 73, is currently recovering at her country home Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire after being discharged from Southmead Hospital in Bristol on Friday morning, June 28, a statement from Buckingham Palace seen by PEOPLE confirms.

Princess Anne’s husband, V-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, added in the statement: “I would like to express my warmest thanks to the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, skill and kindness during my wife’s short stay.”

The Queen will not resume her public duties until her medical team says it is safe to do so.

Buckingham Palace announced on June 24 that King Charles’ younger sister was hospitalized following an “incident” on June 23 in Gatcombe Park. Her injuries suggested a possible impact from a horse’s head or legs. Due to the concussion, the exact details of the accident could not be ascertained.

“The Princess Royal has suffered minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate last night. Her Royal Highness remains at Southmead Hospital in Bristol for observation as a precautionary measure and is expected to make a speedy and full recovery,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

On 25 June The Telegraph reported that Princess Anne suffered what was believed to be temporary memory loss in connection with the incident.

On the same day, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence spoke briefly about his wife’s health as he left the hospital after she had spent her second night there.

“She is recovering well, thank you very much. We are deeply grateful to the medical team and hospital staff for their expert care – and to the emergency services, who were all so wonderful on the scene,” Sir Tim told those who were well-wishers.

“We are both deeply touched by all the kind messages we have received from so many people near and far. It means a lot to us,” he added.

In a video shared with X by ITV’s Chris Ship, Sir Tim told reporters: “She’s doing well. Slowly but surely.”

The incident meant Princess Anne had to clear her diary. She missed the state banquet at Buckingham Palace on 25 June, which concluded the first day of the state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. She was also due to travel to Canada but was advised not to fly on medical advice.

“On medical advice, Her Royal Highness’s appointments for next week will be postponed. Her Royal Highness apologises to anyone who may experience any inconvenience or disappointment as a result,” a palace spokesman said on June 24.

The Princess Royal is considered the “hardest working” member of the royal family based on the number of engagements recorded in the Court Circular over the past three years and is reportedly expected to undertake 457 duties in 2023.

“She just keeps going and often has several appointments in one day,” Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary Dickie Arbiter said previously The Telegraph about Princess Anne’s sense of duty.

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Princess Anne was given Gatcombe Park as a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth on her first marriage to Captain Mark Phillips in 1976 and the Festival of British Eventing was held there for 40 years. The Princess, like her late mother the Queen, was a keen horse rider and was the first member of the British Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games when she rode for Team Great Britain in 1976.

She recently trotted into the spotlight when she rode in the Trooping the Colour procession in London on June 15, keeping a cool head when her horse took off.