Princess Anne breaks silence for first time since horse accident and voices 'deep regret'

Princess Anne has spoken of her “deep regret” in missing a ceremony to commemorate war heroes in Canada after she was forced to pull out after being hit by a horse.

The Princess Royal was hospitalised for five nights last week following an incident with a horse where she was left suffering a concussion and minor head injuries. The King’s sister, 73, was out walking near her Gatcombe Park home in Gloucestershire, when she was struck by a horse and left with little memory of what occurred.

Anne, often dubbed the “hardest working royal” for completing more public engagements each year than any other member of the royal family, was forced to pull out of nine engagements last week, including a trip to Canada. She is now continuing her recovery at home after being discharged last Friday.

Anne

Anne

During the Canada visit, she was due to attend a ceremony which marks the centenary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial and repatriation of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War battlefields of northern France. In her absence, the Governor General read out a message from the princess which spoke of her sadness at missing the event.

It said: “It is with deep regret that I am unable to be with you today, as you commemorate the brave efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who went into battle on the first day of the Somme. I have fond memories of joining you in 2016, on the 99th occasion that the people of this Island commemorated the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, and I am deeply saddened that I’m unable to join you again, and I send you my warmest best wishes on this special day of commemoration”.

Anne, a skilled horsewoman who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, will remain at her home for a period of rest and recuperation. Palace sources said she will only return to public duty when her medical team recommends it is safe and comfortable to do so.

Anne

It is not known how long the princess will spend convalescing, but she will be receiving rehabilitation support at home as she follows standard concussion protocols. Anne's medical team said her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse's head or legs but her concussion has meant precise details of how the incident came about are not clear.

An air ambulance was scrambled to take the princess to hospital, but in the end she travelled by road after being treated by an emergency crew on site. While receiving treatment, she was visited by her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence

Who said she was "doing fine, slow but sure" and that he had taken her a "few little treats from home". After the princess left the hospital privately last Friday, Sir Tim said in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace : "I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, expertise and kindness during my wife’s short stay."