Princess Anne breaks silence on her mystery accident that led to her five day hospitalisation
- The King's sister said that she recalled 'nothing' about the incident
- READ MORE: Princess Anne sports her favourite Adidas sunglasses and a vibrant orange dress as she visits a new war memorial in Cape Town
Princess Anne has revealed she remembers 'nothing' about her accident that left her in hospital with a concussion last year.
The Princess Royal, 74, is believed to have an unfortunate brush with one of her horses on her Gatcombe estate last June, which led to a five-day emergency stay.
Talking today at the Grand Military Cup Day at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey, after a whirlwind trip to South Africa, Anne revealed that she was on the way to see chickens on her estate when the accident happened.
When questioned whether the last thing she recalled was walking into a field, Anne said: 'No, I don't even remember that.
'I know where I thought I was going and that was to go to the chickens, no, nothing to do with horses.'
She added that seeing the chickens was 'my regular visit, I don't have any idea what I was doing in the field, because I never normally went that way.
'It just...shows you - you never quite know, something [happens], and you might not recover.'
After the accident, an air ambulance and emergency services went to the Gloucestershire estate, and following medical care at the scene, the royal was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by road for tests, treatment, and observation.
Princess Anne spoke about the suspected horse-related incident that left her hospitalised in June during the Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher today
Anne spent five nights in hospital after the accident on June 23 and did not return to public royal duties until almost three weeks later.
Asked about any lasting ill effects, she lightened the mood and joked: 'Apparently not, at least I don't think so. As far as I know, nobody else thinks so - they haven't been honest enough to tell me yet. So far so good.'
She added: 'You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus really.'
Interviewed after a whirlwind two-day tour of Cape Town that ended on Wednesday, Anne also discussed her future and was asked whether retirement was an option, she replied: 'It really isn't written in, no. It isn't really an option, no, I don't think so.
Her father, the late Duke of Edinburgh, did retire from royal duties in 2017, but he was 96 when he took the decision and had supported Queen Elizabeth II for more than 65 years at the time.
Anne is known for her busy work schedule, and as she approaches her 75th birthday in August, the royal will continue to lead the monarchy in various engagements.
The monarch, who put on an elegant display in a purple ensemble today, said she recalled 'nothing' about the incident
Pictured: Members of the Royal Corps of Signals in the parade ring during Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher
The King's sister took to Esher today to watch the historic British race, which was established in 1841
During her Cape Town visit, Anne laid a wreath at a Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) memorial, the first to recognise the sacrifices of black South Africans who died working as First World War labourers to help Britain's war effort in east and south-west Africa.
She performed the task as CWGC president, a role that had been carried out by the Duke of Kent, 89, since 1970.
The royal said: 'I'm very lucky to take the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on from the Duke of Kent, but he's been doing that for a very long time, he did it very well and has covered the globe in support of them.
'And I'm perfectly certain he was really reluctant to give that up, but in the end, he felt physically that he couldn't travel as much, and he couldn't be as efficient in supporting - and I was lucky enough to be asked.
'On the one hand you go for as long as you can, but you have to accept there are some things you can't do anymore, and he did that, and I'm the beneficiary of that which has allowed me to take that on.'
Anne is a key member of the King's slimmed-down working monarchy and has played an important role in stepping up in support of Charles amid his cancer diagnosis
The royal is also known for her no-nonsense approach and her commitment to royal duty.
She carried out her first public engagement in 1969 aged 18 when she opened an educational and training centre in Shropshire, and a year later, she began her longest association with a charity, becoming president of Save the Children and later patron.
Bagpipers took to the racecourse during Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park Racecourse
Pictured: Standard-bearer's in the parade ring during Grand Military Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park Racecourse
Anne said: 'I don't think there's a retirement programme on this particular life.'
'You're jolly lucky... if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis and last summer I was very close to not being.'
She added: 'Take each day as it comes, they say.'
Elsewhere today, Princess Anne put on a trendy display as she took to the Grand Military Cup Day at Sandown Park Racecourse.
The Princess Royal, 74, whose style inspired a Fendi collection last year, wrapped up warm is a striking purple coat and matching scarf for the race.
A black fluffy hat was the showstopper of Anne's outfit though, with the furry accessory protecting the royal from the Strom Eowyn's windy gusts.
She added to her chic ensemble with a pair of suede boots and classic pearl stud earrings.
The King's sister took to Esher to watch The Grand Military Gold Cup, which is solely for Military Amateur Jockeys and is one of Sandown Park's oldest races.
Princess Anne said retirement isn't likely for her (seen with Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence at the Windsor Horse Show in May)
The historic British race, established in 1841, is open to horses aged five years or older.
A parade kickstarted the horseracing event, which included bagpipers taking to the racecourse to entertain attendees.
Anne, who wore minimal makeup for the occasion, looked focused as she observed the bagpipers and members of the Royal Corps of Signals in the parade ring.
The royal has had a busy start to the year, and on Tuesday, she made a visit to a riding school for the disabled on the first day of her state visit to South Africa.
Despite the long flight, the royal looked fresh in casual attire - a floral blue shirt and white chinos - as she arrived at the equestrian centre to observe a riding lesson as part of her two-day visit to Cape Town.
The royal was forced to embark upon the visit without the company of her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, who was unable to travel due to a ligament injury.
Sir Timothy, who has been married to Anne since 1992, is believed to have sustained the injury while working at the Princess Royal's Gatcombe Park Estate in Gloucestershire.
Nevertheless, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip looked in sprightly mood as she arrived at the Riding School for Disabled Association.
Later in the day, the princess enjoyed a visit to the British High Commission Residence garden in Pretoria in the nation.
Anne dressed suitably for the balmy African climate - Cape Town is currently basking in 28 degrees, wearing subtle makeup with just a touch of red lipstick and a light dusting of powder.
Shielding from the bright sun, the princess donned a stylish set of sunglasses and a sensible pair of brogues for ambling around the centre.
The trip to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association was the first thing on the agenda for the royal, who is known for her love of horses and has been president of the UK version of the charity for four decades.
Anne was treated to a tour of the riding centre, where she was pictured chatting animatedly with staff.
She stopped to greet numerous members of the association, including Hilary Lane, who is chair and a life member of the charity, and Belinda Sampson, who is the co-founder.
