Michael Cole has warned of possible "nasty complications" for Princess Anne following her head injury and concussion on Sunday evening.
The Princess Royal was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol after becoming involved in a horse-related incident at her Gatcombe Park estate whilst on a walk.
Buckingham Palace say the sister of King Charles is expected to make a "full and swift recovery", but remains in hospital unable to recall the details of the incident.
Speaking to GB News, former Royal Correspondent Michael Cole warned of the possible "complications" that can come with a concussion, given the Princess's age, noting the possibility of a "brain bleed".
Princess Anne suffered 'minor injuries and concussion' following the incident
GB News / PA
Speaking to hosts Bev Turner and Andrew Pierce, Cole explained: "The Princess Royal is 73, will be 74 in August - concussion is no minor matter.
"A blow on the skull can shake up the brain, causing a brain bleed, and that can lead on to all sorts of other nasty complications."
Detailing the latest on Princess Anne's stay in hospital, Cole revealed she has spent "two nights" at the Bristol hospital and noted that although she "doesn't take orders from many people", she will "take orders from the doctors".
Cole told GB News: "Two nights in hospital, and the Princess Royal doesn't take orders from many people, but she will take orders from her doctors. Obviously they're being cautious and quite rightly so, keeping it under observation."
Princess Anne is recovering at the Southmead Hospital in Bristol
Getty
Noting the Princess's past equine related accidents, Cole affirmed Anne is a "tough cookie" and has suffered a concussion on another occasion.
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Cole revealed: "I think back to 1976, the Montreal Olympics earlier. She had a very bad fall and got concussion.
"But even before that, in April 1976, at the Portland Horse Trials, she fell and her horse rolled on top of her, broke a vertebrae, and she was concussed.
"That was quite serious, and it was doubtful whether she would make the Olympics. But of course, being the tough cookie that she is, she did make it. So she's been this route before."
However, the former Royal Correspondent highlighted her senior age and how her previous horse-related concussions were "48 years ago".
Michael Cole said Princess Anne's concussion is 'no minor matter'
GB News
He told Bev and Andrew: "These days she's older, but she is an accomplished equestrian. We all saw when she left the gates in the procession for the Trooping of the Colour.
"But in this instance, we don't know the full details, but it seems that she wasn't riding and she approached the horses on her estate.
"Now, horses are very unpredictable at the best of times, and obviously something went wrong and the horse has either butted her or hit her and she sustained a slight injury, but enough to have her admitted to the nearest trauma hospital where she is undergoing care, probably reluctantly."
