Princess Anne breaks silence for first time since horse riding accident, expresses ‘deep regret’

Princess Anne has expressed “deep regret” at missing a war heroes memorial service in Canada after she was forced to withdraw after being hit by a horse.

The Princess Royal was hospitalized for five nights last week following an incident with a horse that left her with a concussion and minor head injuries. The king’s sister, 73, was walking near her home in Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire, when she was hit by a horse and had little memory of what happened.

Anne, often dubbed the “hardest working royal” for attending more public engagements each year than any other member of the royal family, was forced to cancel nine engagements last week, including a trip to Canada. She is currently recovering at home after being discharged last Friday.

During her visit to Canada, she was to attend a ceremony marking the centennial of the Newfoundland National War Memorial and the repatriation of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier from the battlefields of the First World War in the North of France. In her absence, the Governor General read a message from the Princess which spoke of her sadness at having missed the event.

“It is with deep regret that I cannot be with you today as you commemorate the courageous efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who went into battle on the first day of the Somme. I have good memories of the year 2016 when I commemorated the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel for the 99th time. I am deeply saddened that I will not be able to join you again and I send you my warmest best wishes on this special day of remembrance. »

Anne, a talented equestrian who competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, will remain at home for a period of rest and recuperation. Palace sources said she would only resume public duties when her medical team recommends it is safe and comfortable to do so.

It is unclear how long the princess will spend in recovery, but she will receive rehabilitation support at home while following standard concussion protocols. Anne’s medical team said her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact with a horse’s head or legs, but her concussion means the precise details of how the incident happened are unclear.

An air ambulance was dispatched to take the princess to hospital, but she ultimately traveled by road after being treated by an emergency team on scene. While receiving treatment, she was visited by her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Who said that she was “doing well, slowly but surely” and that he had brought her “some little treats from home”. After the Princess left the hospital privately last Friday, Sir Tim said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace: “I would like to express my warmest thanks to all the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, their expertise and kindness during my wife’s short stay.”