Princess Anne is out of hospital and recuperating at home after suffering head injury

Princess Anne, the sister of King Charles III, returned to her Gatcombe Park home on Friday morning, after a short stay in hospital where she was treated for minor injuries and a concussion, according to a royal source.

The Princess Royal, 73, had been injured while walking near horses at the royal estate, in Gloucestershire, western England, on Sunday evening.

Her husband Vice-Adm. Tim Laurence expressed his gratitude to the medical staff for their care.

He said in a statement, “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.”

The exact circumstances that led to the Princess Royal’s injuries were not clear but there were horses in the vicinity and previously her medical team said that her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.

Emergency services were sent to the estate and, after medical care at the scene, she was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for appropriate tests, treatment and observation.

While it’s not known how long the princess will be convalescing for, she will be receiving rehabilitation support at home as she follows standard concussion protocols.

Anne is widely considered to be one of the hardest working royals, dutifully undertaking hundreds of engagements each year. She is one of several senior royals that stepped up further to support the King when he briefly stepped away from public-facing duties following his cancer diagnosis.

The five-day hospital stay caused the princess to miss several engagements this week, including a state banquet at Buckingham Palace held for the emperor and empress of Japan on the first day of their state visit to the United Kingdom. She had also been due to travel to Canada for a royal visit this weekend.

Her accident is the latest in a series of health challenges the family has faced since the new year, with her brother Charles and the Princess of Wales continuing their cancer treatments. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York was also diagnosed with malignant melanoma in January.

This story has been updated.