Hospitalised Princess Anne ‘too strong’ to be ‘fazed’ by setbacks
Princess Anne is said to be too strong to let her hospitalisation “faze” her.
The 73-year old royal – a highly skilled horsewoman who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics – is recovering after she sustained injuries and a concussion while walking on her Gloucestershire estate in an accident thought to have been caused by a kick from a horse.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold has told the website Slingo Anne has always been full of strength, adding: “She just doesn’t let anything faze her. I met with her on many occasions when I worked with the now King, and I really liked how straight-talking she was with everyone. She was like her father, Prince Philip, in that sense – but without the swearing.
“She is a very direct person, but there is a very fun side to Anne, which I would say comes from the late Queen.”
Noting similarities between Anne and her late mother Queen Elizabeth, he went on: “Anne loves horse racing. I’m sure when she’s there she’ll get flashbacks to past events.
“She was very good with her mother and spent a lot of time with her.
“They’ve got lots of similarities with looks and mannerisms, but also with her father.
“Philip was a very straight-talking man and so is she. Anne has great humour and is a great support for the King.”
Grant also hailed Anne as the “hardest working royal”, saying she had undertaken more public engagements each year than other working members of the royal family.
He added: “I really like Princess Anne – I’ve got a lot of time for her.
“She’s an amazing grafter – she’s somebody who gets stuff done.
“She’s like her father, no-nonsense, and says as it is, but she gets the job done.
“Like her mother, she’s very happy to put duty before everything and that’s what she does.”
Emergency services were despatched to Anne’s estate after she was injured, after being given medical care at the scene, she was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests, treatment and observation.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “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.”
“The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to the princess for a speedy recovery.”
Although the exact cause of the injuries is unconfirmed, Anne’s medical team have said her head injuries are consistent with a potential impact from a horse’s head or legs.
