Eyewitness 'feared the worst' as police helicopter circled Anne's estate after royal suffered head injuries
An eyewitness claims to have seen an air ambulance at Gatcombe Park
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An eyewitness to the shocking events which unfolded in the aftermath of Princess Anne's injury on Sunday evening has said he "thought the worst" when emergency services descended on her country estate.
The Princess Royal had been walking in the bounds of the Gatcombe Park estate, where she's lived for almost 50 years, when the incident took place late on June 23.
GB News understands that while out and about, the Princess Royal had sustained minor injuries consistent with those expected from an impact with a horse's head or legs.
Emergency services had flocked to Gatcombe Park, and Anne was transferred to nearby Bristol's Southmead Hospital for appropriate treatment - and now, a local man has revealed what he saw.
An eyewitness claims to have seen an air ambulance at Gatcombe Park
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He said he had seen an air ambulance come into land at just after 9pm on Sunday night - while, minutes later, a police helicopter had reportedly been spotted circling above the estate.
The Gloucestershire resident said: "I saw an air ambulance landing on her estate and I thought: 'Oh my goodness, I hope it's not Anne.'
"And then the police helicopter started circling about ten minutes later - and I thought the worst.
"I thought something awful must have happened and I was worried a criminal might be on the loose, but the police helicopter was off pretty quickly.
READ MORE ON ANNE'S ROYAL RECOVERY:
The Princess Royal is undergoing treatment at Bristol's Southmead Hospital
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"The air ambulance was on the ground for about 40 minutes, I think; I'm not sure if it took her to hospital, but it didn't look like it did as it flew off the other way... I really hope she's going to be okay."
The Princess's husband, Sir Tim Laurence, as well as her daughter and son, Zara and Peter Phillips, were on the estate at the time - while senior royals were informed of the news late on Sunday night.
Then in a statement released on Monday, 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, as pictured with Lady Gabriella Kingston at Royal Ascot
PA
GB News has approached the South Western Ambulance Service for comment.
As a result of the Princess's injuries, GB News understands she will not be able to carry out a number of pending engagements including a trip to Canada and today's State banquet alongside the Japanese Imperial Family.
And royal commentator Jennie Bond has said the disruption to Anne's schedule would leave the Princess Royal "thoroughly irritated", adding: "I know she will be extremely annoyed and cross this has happened."
Bond said: "She was meant to be in Scotland, Gloucestershire and Hampshire in the coming days and then she was due to fly off to Canada."