Princess Anne Reflects on Severe Horse Accident Before Birthday

Princess Anne is preparing to celebrate her 75th birthday next month, but a serious horse accident last year serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life. In June 2022, the Princess Royal was hospitalized in intensive care after a significant incident involving a horse at her residence in Gloucestershire. The accident left her with concussion and head trauma, and Anne later admitted that she “can’t remember a thing” about the event.

On the day of the incident, Anne had ventured outside alone to tend to her chickens when she was struck from behind by a horse, resulting in a concussion and severe bruising. In a candid interview in January, she reflected on the unexpected nature of such accidents, stating, “It just reminds you, shows you – you never quite know, something [happens] and you might not recover.” She expressed gratitude for her recovery, noting, “You’re jolly lucky … if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis and last summer I was very close to not being.”

A source close to the Princess recently disclosed to The Times that the extent of Anne’s injuries was far more severe than publicly acknowledged. The source stated, “Her accident was so much worse than anyone let on and it took quite a while for her to feel herself again.” Despite her challenges, the dedicated royal returned to her duties just three weeks after the incident, albeit with a visibly bruised face, which she concealed with makeup.

Anne’s swift return to work drew praise from her family. Prince William and Princess Kate publicly acknowledged her commitment on social media, writing, “Super trooper! So great to see you back so soon. WandC x.”

Public Engagements and Recovery

Last month, the Princess made her first public appearance on horseback at King Charles’ birthday celebration, Trooping the Colour. Dressed in the traditional Blues and Royals mounted uniform, she participated in the parade alongside Prince Edward and Prince William. Anne rode a horse named Noble, who had previously gained notoriety for being ‘mischievous’ during the 2023 Trooping ceremony.

In a poignant reflection on her recovery, Anne visited Southmead Hospital in Bristol last month to express her gratitude to the medical staff who treated her. During her five-night stay in the intensive care unit, she struggled to recall the details of her accident. Meeting with paramedics and members of the critical care team, she remarked, “You’ve been filling in the blanks, which partly, from my perspective, is really useful to know how it happened, because I seriously don’t have any idea.”

During her visit, Anne spoke with Morwenna Maddock, the ICU matron who oversaw her care. She expressed her appreciation for the attention she received, saying, “But I just know I was really well looked after, so thank you. But whatever you did, it seemed to work…. the recovery has been relatively straightforward, thankfully.”

Anne’s experience has not only highlighted the unexpected challenges of life but also underscored her resilience and dedication to her royal duties. As she approaches her milestone birthday, her reflections on the accident serve as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and perseverance.