Princess Anne shares 'deep regret' as she breaks silence after horse injury

Princess Anne has shared a statement following a horse-related injury which left her with minor head injuries. The Princess Royal was hospitalised for five nights last week following an incident with a horse where she was left suffering a concussion.

The 73-year-old has since spoken of her "deep regret" in missing a ceremony to commemorate war heroes in Canada after she was forced to pull out following her accident. Anne is frequently called the “hardest working royal” for completing more public engagements each year than any other member of the royal family.

She was forced to pull out of nine engagements last week, including a trip to Canada. The Princess Royal was discharged last Friday and is continuing to recover at home, The Mirror reports.

READ MORE: Mum given indefinite hospital after killing two children and stabbing partner

Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp

Anne was due to attend a ceremony which marks the centenary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial and repatriation of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War battlefields of northern France during her cancelled trip to Canada. The Governor General read out a message from the princess which spoke of her sadness at missing the event.

It said: "It is with deep regret that I am unable to be with you today, as you commemorate the brave efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who went into battle on the first day of the Somme. I have fond memories of joining you in 2016, on the 99th occasion that the people of this Island commemorated the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, and I am deeply saddened that I’m unable to join you again, and I send you my warmest best wishes on this special day of commemoration”.

Keen equestrian Anne competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Anne's medical team said her head injuries were consistent with a potential impact from a horse's head or legs but her concussion has meant precise details of how the incident came about have not been disclosed.

An air ambulance was dispatched to take the princess to hospital, but in the end she travelled by road after being treated by an emergency crew on site. While receiving treatment, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and her daughter, Zara Tindall, were both pictured arriving at Southmead Hospital in Bristol to visit her.