PRINCESS Anne is currently in hospital after an incident at Gatcombe Park yesterday evening, royal officials say. 

The Princess Royal, aged 73, sustained "minor injuries and a concussion" following the incident at her country estate near Minchinhampton yesterday, Sunday, June 23.

It is believed she was kicked by a horse.

Princess Anne, an Olympic-medal winning horsewoman, was walking on her estate on Sunday evening when the incident happened.

Emergency services were dispatched to the estate.

After medical care at the scene, the princess was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests, treatment and observation.

She was accompanied by her husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence.

The princess is expected to make a full recovery and to return home later this week.

The princess’s daughter Zara Tindall and son Peter Phillips were on the estate at the time, along with her husband Vice Admiral Tim Laurence.

In a statement released today, Buckingham Palace said: “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.

“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.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Her Royal Highness is receiving appropriate expert care. No further details are being shared at this stage.”

The palace spokesperson added: “Her Royal Highness will remain in Southmead Hospital unless or until her medical team advise otherwise.”

The King and Queen, and the princess’s siblings the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex, and nephew the Prince of Wales were notified on Sunday evening.

Anne will now miss several engagements this week, including the state banquet for the Japanese State Visit on Tuesday and a visit to Canada.

A Palace spokesperson said: “On doctors’ advice, Her Royal Highness’s engagements for the week ahead will be postponed.

"Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.

“The Japanese State Visit will go ahead as planned, though sadly Her Royal Highness will be unable to attend the State banquet tomorrow.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson added: “Her Royal Highness is recovering well, is in a comfortable condition and is being kept in hospital as a precautionary measure for further observation.”

It is understood the princess was walking within the protected perimeter of Gatcombe Park estate when an incident occurred.

She has suffered minor wounds to the head.

The exact cause of the injuries is unconfirmed, but Anne’s medical team have said that her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.

Library photo of the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park in 2022 - picture by Simon Pizzey