Princess Anne breaks silence after fall from horse as royal is 'deeply saddened'
Princess Anne suffered minor head injuries after a horse-related accident
Getty
Princess Anne has said she is "deeply saddened" to miss a memorial ceremony in Canada, after she recovers from her concussion after falling from a horse.
In her first public comments since June 23's accident, the Princess Royal expressed her regret that she could not be in attendance at the service in Newfoundland.
She had been intending to travel there ahead of this week to attend the repatriation of the remains of a Canadian soldier who died on the battlefields of Northern France in the First World War.
Canada's Governor General read some remarks made by the Princess in her absence at the ceremony today: "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.
Princess Anne suffered minor head injuries after a horse-related accidentGetty"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."
Princess Anne was discharged from hospital last week, after spending five days there in total.
Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, confirmed that Anne is "recovering slowly" following the accident, and went on to praise the medical staff who looked after her at Southmead Hospital.
A statement from Buckingham Palace at the time read: "The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening.
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Princess Anne was meant to attend a ceremony in Canada this weekPA"Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery.
"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."
Anne had been walking around the Gatcombe Park estate, where she's lived for almost 50 years, when the incident took place late on June 23. She suffered minor head injuries as a result.
As well as her trip to Canada, Anne was unable to attend the Japanese State Banquet held on June 25 in honour of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
Gatcombe Park estate, where the fall occured
PAIt is not the first time the late Queen Elizabeth II's daughter has suffered from a horse-related incident.
In 1976, during the Olympics in Montreal, her horse Goodwill failed to make one of the jumps on the course which caused her to fall.
In 2008, Princess Anne was spotted using a walking stick after being kicked by a horse at her home.
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