Princess Anne was taken to hospital with minor injuries and concussion while walking through a ground in Gloucestershire, Buckingham Palace confirmed. The incident took place on Sunday evening.
The 73-year-old, a trained jockey, was said to have been kicked by a horse while walking through the grounds of Gatcombe Park last night.
Since the incident, residents living near the Gatcombe Park grounds have said they “thought the worst” when they saw the rescue helicopter land and a police helicopter circling behind it.
A local man said he saw the rescue helicopter land at 9.15pm on June 23 and the police helicopter circling from about 9.23pm.
He added: “I saw the rescue helicopter land on her ground and thought, ‘Oh my goodness, I hope that’s not Anne’ – and then about 10 minutes later the police helicopter started circling and I feared the worst was about to happen.
“I thought something terrible must have happened and I was worried a criminal was on the run but the police helicopter quickly left.
A local added: “I think the rescue helicopter was around 40 minutes away from arriving on the ground – I don’t know if he took her to hospital but he flew off in another direction so it didn’t look like that. I really hope she’s OK.”
A rescue helicopter was dispatched from the scene but it was not necessary to take Princess Anne to hospital.
After news of the incident broke a Buckingham Palace spokesman was quoted as saying: The Princess Royal suffered minor injuries and a concussion following last night’s incident at Gatcombe Park.
“Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital in Bristol for observation and is expected to make a speedy and full recovery.
“The King will keep her updated and, together with all in the Royal Family, he sends her warmest love and wishes for a speedy recovery.”
The Palace confirmed that Anne was “making a good recovery and is in a comfortable condition”. Her condition has worsened and she has been admitted to hospital for further observation as a precaution.
Once in hospital she will be treated by “specialists” and will remain in hospital until the medical team advises otherwise.
Anne’s husband, Sir Tim Laurence, accompanied her to hospital. Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips were at the facility when the incident occurred.
On doctor’s advice, Anne’s appointment next week will be postponed. “We apologise to anyone who may have suffered inconvenience or disappointment as a result,” a palace spokesman said.
The state visit to Japan, which begins on Tuesday, will go ahead as planned, but Princess Anne will not be attending.