Princess Anne has been absent from royal duties ever since she sustained “minor injuries and a concussion” after falling from a horse last month.
She was discharged from Southmead Hospital in Bristol on June 28, after spending five days there following the incident at the Gatcombe Park Estate. Her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, confirmed that Anne is “recovering slowly” following the accident.
According to reports, Princess Anne, 73, suffered injuries “consistent with being kicked or head-butted by a horse”.
Due to injuries, the princess has had to temporarily halt royal duties, which will likely cause a strain on the royal diary for the upcoming month.
Princess Anne has been absent from royal duties ever since she sustained 'minor injuries and a concussion'GettyUnder usual circumstances, the Princess Royal is the hardest-working member of the Royal Family, with Anne performing the majority of engagements in 2023.
She carried out a massive 457 engagements, 32 more than her older brother, King Charles, who performed 425.
In July, Princess Anne was scheduled to perform 20 engagements out of the 35 listed in the Royal Family Diary - a massive 57 per cent of all royal duties throughout the entire month.
However, due to the Princess Royal's injuries, it is unknown when she will return to performing official engagements.
King Charles is a firm believer in streamlining the Royal Family and his son Prince William reportedly shares the same vision for the future of the monarchy.
The Royal Family has become more streamlined over the last five years with Prince Andrew stepping down from all public duties following his disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also left their roles within the monarchy and moved to California. They have not shown any signs of wanting to return on a full-time basis.
The senior working members of the Royal Family include King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales, Princess Catherine, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The Princess of Wales is currently not undertaking any royal duties as she focuses on her health following her cancer diagnosis in March 2024.
Princess Anne has also taken a step back for this month, whilst the King has cut back on some of his duties, due to his cancer diagnosis. Earlier this year, Buckingham Palace confirmed that his summer programme would be reeled in to allow for a stronger recovery.
The Daily Mail has reported that a friend of the Prince of Wales has cast doubt on the possibility of Charlotte and Louis becoming working royals.
The friend told the publication: “When the older members of the family retire, His Royal Highness won't be inviting anyone else to become working royals.
King Charles is keen to streamline the Royal Family
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Princess Kate has stepped back from royal duties for the time beingGetty“It remains to be seen if he will even want his two younger children to be working royals.”
The source added: “He [Prince William] sees the small European monarchies as the model for the future.”
The move would be a break in royal tradition as all of Queen Elizabeth II's children were working members of the Royal Family.
Princess Anne publicly criticised the move in 2023, stating that the proposal was suggested “in a day when there were a few more people around,” likely referring to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Prince Andrew, who are no longer working royals.
She told CBC: “It doesn't sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I’m not quite sure what else one can do.”
With that in mind, do you think Anne's absence shows that the Royal Family is unprepared for a streamlined monarchy?
