Princess Anne's horse riding accident last June was far more serious than the public was led to believe, according to a source close to the royal. The Princess Royal, who turns 75 next month, was hospitalised with a concussion after being struck from behind by a horse at her Gloucestershire home.
The source told The Times: 'Her accident was so much worse than anyone let on and it took quite a while for her to feel herself again.' Anne spent five nights in intensive care at Southmead Hospital in Bristol and has admitted she remembers nothing of the incident.
Despite the severity, Anne returned to public duties just three weeks later, covering a bruised left eye and face with heavy makeup. Prince William and Kate Middleton praised her resilience in a rare personal message, calling her a 'super trooper'.
Last month, Anne returned to horseback riding at Trooping the Colour, joining the parade on her horse Noble. She also visited Southmead Hospital in February to thank staff, telling them: 'You've been filling in the blanks... because I seriously don't have any idea.'
Reflecting on the accident in January, Anne said: 'It just reminds you... you never quite know, something happens and you might not recover. You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus really.'
