Princess Anne says she ‘can’t remember a single thing’ about horse-related head injury
Princess Anne has broken her silence on her health after she sustained a head injury in a horse-related incident last month.
On July 12, the princess, 73, marked her return to royal duties after a five-day hospital stay in June.
During a visit to the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, England, she revealed that she “can’t remember a single thing” about the incident.
Helena Vega Lozano, chair of RDA UK, recounted: “ As soon as she got out of the car she said: ‘I can’t remember a single thing about it,’” reported the Daily Mail.
Despite her recent health setback, the Princess Royal appeared at ease in the equestrian setting, joining RDA supporters in the arena, presenting awards and meeting winners. The event holds personal significance for her, as she has been involved with the organization since becoming its patron in November 1971 and president since 1985.
This appearance marked her gradual return to royal duties since the incident at Gatcombe Park on June 23.
On June 24, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles’ sister sustained a concussion and minor injuries in an “incident” the day prior.
“The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery,” it said in a statement at the time.
“The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery,” the statement continued.
On June 25, the Telegraph reported that Anne was suffering memory loss, thought to be temporary, relating to the incident.
She has since described her memory as “nonexistent for that day.”
Anne was receiving rehabilitation support at her home in Gloucestershire after leaving the hospital on June 28.
Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, expressed gratitude to the care team at Southmead Hospital upon her discharge.
“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,” said Sir Tim, who married Anne in 1992.
It was understood that the royal would remain at her country home for a period of rest and return to royal duty when her medical team determined it was safe to do so.
Sir Tim and the couple’s two children, daughter Zara Tindall and son Peter Phillips, were all at the estate at the time of the accident.
A seasoned equestrian, the Princess Royal competed for Team Great Britain at the Olympics in 1976, and made history as the first member of the British royal family to participate in the Games. She rode in the Trooping the Colour parade on June 15, a week before the incident, and went viral as she kept her cool when her horse began acting rambunctious on the streets of London.
Princess Anne is regularly described as the “hardest-working royal” based on her official engagements recorded in the Court Circular. In 2023, she attended 457 engagements alone.
Her health concerns add to recent challenges within the royal family, as King Charles and the Princess of Wales continue to receive treatment for their respective cancer diagnoses. King Charles, 75, resumed royal duties in late April, while Kate Middleton, 42, continues to maintain a low profile.
