The Princess Royal is recovering after an ‘incident’ with a horse on her estate left her hospitalised with a concussion. The Princess Royal is not a woman given to making a fuss. When someone tried to kidnap her, she calmly told them “not bloody likely”.
When she suffered a fall from a horse at the Olympics which could have killed her, she got back on and finished the course. This time, after an “incident” with a horse on her estate left her hospitalised with a concussion, it took her less than 24 hours to issue a public apology to those who “may be inconvenienced or disappointed” by the fact she needs to take a few days off work. In an NHS hospital until later this week, the Princess has been compelled to take a rare sick day after receiving “head injuries consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs”.
She is awake, in contact with family and her team. A palace spokesman has said she will make a “full and swift recovery”, although she will be kept in hospital for now just in case. That the Princess, who will be 74 in August, has for now been persuaded to stay under the watchful eye of medics is a testament to the potentially serious nature of her injuries.
She had been intending to pack in at least eight jobs before flying to Canada at the weekend: at the 30th Commonwealth Agricultural Conference, some sailing events, a visit to a hospice, and a charity polo day. “Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconveni.