The Princess Royal said she “can’t remember a single thing” about the incident that left her with head injuries almost three weeks ago.
Princess Anne, 73, who had a bruise under her left eye, spoke as she returned to work with a visit to the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.
It is part of a gradual return to royal duties since she was taken to hospital on June 23 with minor head injuries and concussion after walking around her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
Her doctors believe her injuries are consistent with being hit by a horse.
The Princess Royal said she “can’t remember a single thing” about the incident that left her with head injuries almost three weeks ago.
Princess Anne, 73, who had a bruise under her left eye, spoke as she returned to work with a visit to the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.
It is part of a gradual return to royal duties since she was taken to hospital on June 23 with minor head injuries and concussion after walking around her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
Helena Vega Lozano, president of RDA UK, said: ‘It is a great honour for the Princess to come to the GDR as her only event since the accident.
‘As he got out of the car he said: ‘I don’t remember any of that.’
Ms Vega Lozano added: “It is enormously motivating and inspiring to have her here.”
Today, The Princess Royal arrived at Hartpury University Equine Centre with her lady-in-waiting Dolly Maude.
Wearing an olive tweed suit and a navy hat and gloves, he greeted GDR officials before walking into a large indoor arena to present 23 awards to the charity’s trainers and volunteers.
There were chairs available for officials, but the Princess chose to remain standing as she spent time talking to the award winners as they came forward to collect their certificates.
The princess, who became patron saint of the GDR in 1971 and its president in 1986, spent time chatting with the guests.
He joined a panel to congratulate GDR members during Friday’s event.
A poll for 2023 found that Princess Anne is the most popular member of the Royal Family
The Gatcombe Park housing estate in Gloucestershire where the incident occurred (file photo)
It had always been planned that she would attend the event, the first day of the three-day GDR national championships. However, the engagement was “condensed” to accommodate the princess while she continues her recovery.
Instead of a two-hour visit that would have included a tour of the area, including an open-air school where carriage rides were held, it was limited to a visit that lasted just under an hour.
Michael Bishop, chief executive of the RDA, said: “We are delighted that he was able to come. His commitment to the RDA is really welcome and well known.”
He added: “The princess was in great shape. It was wonderful to see her again. She was very engaged as she spoke to all the volunteers and participants and cracked a few jokes too. She was very connected and recognised many of the volunteers as she already knew them.”
Avril Nicholl, 83, from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, of the Ballyclare Group, accepted an award on behalf of a young autistic cyclist.
He spent five days in hospital after the accident before returning home. Today he is pictured making his first public appearance since his injury.
The visit comes after the Princess Royal was rushed to hospital after suffering a minor head injury while at her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. She is seen on horseback during the Royal Guard parade in London on June 15 before her accident.
She said: ‘We were told not to ask him about it, but I couldn’t let it go without saying, ‘I’m so happy you were able to come.’ She said, ‘That’s very kind of you to say that.’
The princess returned to her home in Gatcombe Park two weeks ago after receiving treatment at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
His visit to the GDR is part of a gradual return to public life.
Although the details of the incident are still unclear, doctors believe her injuries are consistent with being hit by the head or legs of a horse.