Princess Anne breaks silence after hospitalization to express ‘deep regret’

Following a minor head injury Princess Anne After suffering an accident on June 23, the Princess Royal shared a statement saying she was “deeply saddened” to have to cancel a planned trip to Canada. For years, the Princess Royal has been known for racking up the most official engagements of any country. (In 2023, the court circular showed she attended 457 separate events.)

Her royal tour was to include a visit to the Newfoundland National War Memorial for a ceremony on July 1 to honour her centenary, and while the princess was unable to attend, she sent her first public message since her injury. In her absence, the Governor General of Canada Marie Simon shared a message expressing Anne’s respect for the Canadian troops who died in the 1916 Somme offensive, one of the deadliest battles of the First World War.

“It is with deep regret that I am unable to be with you today as you commemorate the courageous efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who fought on the first day of the Battle of the Somme,” the message read. “I have fond memories of being with you in 2016, at the 99th commemoration of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel by the people of this island. I am deeply saddened that I will not be able to join you again, and I extend my warmest wishes to you on this special day of remembrance.”

Anne, Colonel-in-Chief of seven Canadian military regiments, is a frequent visitor to the country and has undertaken numerous tours to honour its contribution to the British war effort in the 20th century. She also competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal as a member of the British equestrian team and competed in the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary and the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver as a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that Anne had suffered a concussion after being hit in the head by a horse while walking in Gatcombe Park, her Gloucestershire estate. She was hospitalised at Southmead Hospital in Bristol for five days until her discharge last Friday, and continues to recover at home.

According to The telegraph, Anne suffered temporary memory loss after the injury, consistent with impact with a horse’s head or legs. In a written statement, her husband Mr. Tim Laurence Dr Andrew thanked the hospital staff for the care they provided to Anne during her admission. “I would like to extend my warmest thanks to the entire team at Southmead Hospital for their care, expertise and kindness during my wife’s short stay,” it read.