British monarch King Charles III’s sister Princess Anne has reportedly suffered ‘memory loss’ after sustaining head injuries following a horse-related incident. The 73-year-old suffered minor injuries to her head and a concussion at Gatcombe Park on Sunday evening, the royal palace said in a statement, without revealing exact details of the accident. She was airlifted to hospital.
“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 palace said.
The reports of ‘memory loss’ came as her husband, Tim Laurence, said on Tuesday (Jun 25) that Princess Anne is improving in hospital. He visited her at the Southmead Hospital in Bristol, western England, where she spent the second night.
Providing a brief update, Laurence said, “She’s doing fine — slow but sure.”
“She is recovering well, thank you. We are both profoundly grateful to the medical team and hospital support staff for their expert care — and to the emergency services who were all so wonderful at the scene,” he said.
“We are both deeply touched by all the kind messages we have received from so many people near and far. It means a great deal,” he added.
However, the Telegraph said in a report that Anne’s memory loss is thought to be temporary.
As per media reports, she was believed to have been kicked by a horse when she was walking within the estate, which also hosts equestrian events.
Laurence, who is a retired naval commander, said she was “recovering well”, adding that they were both “profoundly grateful” to the medical teams that treated her at the scene and in hospital.
Princess Anne is a skilled horsewoman who competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and has a reputation as the hardest-working royal.
(With inputs from agencies)