Princess Anne speaks of ‘deep regret’ that she can’t be in Canada today in moving message
Princess Anne was due to be in Canada this week but had to cancel after she spent five nights in hospital after being injured by a horse.
Princess Anne has expressed her “deep regret” that she cannot be in Canada today to attend the repatriation of the remains of a Canadian soldier who died on the battlefields of Northern France in World War 1.
She was due to visit the country this week but was forced to cancel the trip after she was injured by a horse.
The Princess Royal, 73, spent five nights in hospital as she was treated for concussion and minor head injuries.
Canada’s Governor General read some remarks by Anne at a ceremony today, which said: “It is with deep regret that I am unable to be with you today, as you commemorate the brave efforts and sacrifices of the members of the Newfoundland Regiment who went into battle on the first day of the Somme.
“I have fond memories of joining you in 2016, on the 99th occasion that the people of this Island commemorated the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, and I am deeply saddened that I’m unable to join you again, and I send you my warmest best wishes on this special day of commemoration.”
Princess Anne is believed to have been injured by a horse (Image: Getty)
On June 23, Anne was admitted to hospital in Bristol after sustaining injuries at her home, Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, in a suspected incident with a horse.
Due to the nature of her concussion, the Princess Royal is unable to remember exactly what happened, but she is expected to make a full recovery.
Her husband Sir Timothy Laurence accompanied Anne to Southmead Hospital on the day of the accident and later went to visit her, reassuring the press that she was doing well.
Princess Anne in Canada for Remembrance Day (Image: Getty)
A statement from Buckingham Palace at the time read: “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.”
Princess Anne was forced to miss the Japanese State Banquet (Image: Getty)
The Princess Royal is often heralded as the hardest working member of the royals, but was forced to cancel nine engagements originally planned for the week of her injury.
As well as her trip to Canada, Anne was unable to attend the Japanese State Banquet held on June 25 in honour of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
The State Visit was held across three days last week, the first time the Japanese royals had visited the country for nearly 30 years, with their previous scheduled being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
