Princess Anne has started a gradual return to royal duties today by visiting the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships in her first public appearance since she ended up in hospital after being hit by a horse while out walking near her home last month
Princess Anne has returned to royal duties today just weeks after a horror horse incident saw her spend five nights in hospital with concussion.
The Princess Royal began a gradual return to work this afternoon when she paid a visit to the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucester. The RDA celebrates its 55th anniversary this year and Anne has been patron of the organisation since in November 1971, and became President in March 1986.
During her visit today, Anne joined supporters of the organisation in the arena and will later present trophies and meet the award winnners. On arrival, the senior royal was met by the association’s chairwoman Helena Vega Lozano and chief executive Michael Bishop.
Mr Bishop said: “We are honoured to welcome the Princess Royal to our flagship event the RDA National Championships, at which we are celebrating our 55th anniversary and delighted that she has chosen to join us as she returns to royal duties.
“As our president, the princess holds a very special place in the hearts of the entire RDA community and has helped us celebrate many significant milestones and provided invaluable support for over five decades.”
The 73-year-old’s appearance today comes just two weeks after she was discharged from Southmead Hospital in Bristol where she was treated for concussion and head injuries after being hit by a horse while out walking near her home. The Princess Royal was injured and left with concussion in the incident at the Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, Buckingham Palace has said.
Emergency services were dispatched to the estate and the King’s sister was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. Royal sources said while the exact cause of the princess’s injuries is unconfirmed, there were horses in the vicinity and royal doctors suggested her head injuries are consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.
Anne is considered The Firm’s hardest working royal based off the number of engagements she undertakes. During her recovery from her injuries, she missed several engagements over the past few weeks, including the state banquet for the Japanese State Visit and a visit to Canada.
The Princess is renowned for being a lifelong equestrian, with multiple horses resident at her Gloucestershire estate’s stables. She’s previously won a string of medals throughout a glittering equestrian sports career, including the 1971 European Championship title. The King’s sister was also the first royal to compete in the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976. As of 2020, she was listed as royal patron for 28 different horse and animal-related charities, according to Country Life.
