Princess Anne's return to duties in doubt as royal diary thrown into chaos

Princess Anne suffered minor head injuries after a horse-related accident

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Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 01/07/2024

- 11:28

Updated: 01/07/2024

- 14:52

The Princess Royal spent five nights in hospital last month

Princess Anne's return to duties is still in doubt as the royal diary looks to be in chaos for the month of July.

Last week, the Princess Royal was discharged from Southmead Hospital in Bristol after a five-night stay for "minor injuries and concussion".


According to reports, Princess Anne, 73, suffered injuries "consistent with being kicked or head-butted by a horse".

Under usual circumstances, the Princess Royal is the hardest-working member of the Royal Family, with Anne performing the majority of engagements in 2023.

Princess Anne

Princess Anne was scheduled to perform the majority of engagements in July

PA

She carried out a massive 457 engagements, 32 more than her older brother, King Charles, who performed 425.

However, due to her injuries, the princess has had to temporarily halt royal duties.

On June 24, 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.

Princess Anne

Princess Anne suffered a concussion as a result of the injuries

PA

"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."

In July, Princess Anne was scheduled to perform 20 engagements out of the 35 listed in the Royal Family Diary.

This would have been roughly 57 per cent of all the royal duties in the month of July.

However, due to the Princess Royal's injuries, it is unknown when she will return to performing official engagements.

Princess Anne

Princess Anne is the hardest-working member of the Royal Family

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Princess Anne

Princess Anne has since returned to her Gatcombe Park estate

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Speaking to GB News, former BBC Royal Correspondent Michael Cole said: "What is known is that the princess will not be returning to royal duties, which she is a very keen pursuer of such, for the foreseeable future.

"She was supposed to be going to Canada this weekend.

"This week she was supposed to have been in Scotland, but obviously she's not going to do any of that until the doctors sign her off and say that she's back fit and ready to discharge her duties."

Praising Princess Anne's work ethic, Cole stressed the King's sister is the "hardest working royal", and not carrying out duties will be "the last thing she wants to do".

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