Princess Anne returns to thank hospital staff who treated her after head injury

The Princess Royal returned to Southmead Hospital in Bristol to thank staff who treated her after her head injury last year.

Princess Anne visited the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) where she was treated to “fill in the blanks.”

The royal spent five nights at the hospital in 2024 after the accident, believed to have been caused by a horse, took place as she was headed out to feed her chickens.

She thanked the paramedics and staff who treated her last year and told them that it was “useful” to meet them as she does not recall what took place after the incident.

“You’ve been filling in the blanks, which partly from my perspective is really useful to know how it happened, because I seriously don’t have any idea, and sadly I don’t have huge memories of being in here either.

“But I just know I was really well looked after, so thank you. Whatever you did, it seemed to work… the recovery has been relatively straightforward, thankfully. That isn’t always true, so I’m really grateful,” she said.

The Princess Royal added: “But I’m also grateful in a weird sort of way that I remember nothing because that has huge advantages – you can just carry on.”

Princess Anne’s visit was mainly private, and she drove herself to the hospital to show her appreciation for those who helped her.

Princess Anne was admitted to Southmead Hospital after an incident involving a horse on the Gatocombe Park estate in June 2024.

She sustained minor injuries and had a concussion. It has only now been revealed that she was treated in the ICU.