Princess Anne discharged from hospital after being struck by horse

Princess Anne has returned home after several days in hospital with minor head injuries and concussion.

The 73-year-old was struck by a horse while walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening.

Her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, visited her at Southmead Hospital in Bristol on Wednesday and told reporters she was “recovering slowly”.

She is understood to have spent five nights there.

Sir Tim previously said he and Anne were “profoundly grateful to the medical team and hospital support staff for their expert care – and to the emergency services who were all so wonderful at the scene”.

“We are both deeply touched by all the kind messages we have received from so many people near and far. It means a great deal,” he added.

The previous day he was seen taking a small navy bag into the hospital – which he said contained “just a few little treats from home”.

The princess missed a state dinner in honour of Japan’s emperor and empress due to her injury and it’s also understood a trip to Canada had to be postponed.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished Anne a “swift recovery” and said everyone in the country is “immensely fond” of her.

Labour leader Keir Starmer also wished her a “speedy recovery”.

A skilled horsewoman, Princess Anne was the first royal to compete at the Olympics, in 1976.

Known as the King’s right-hand woman, she is seen by many as the hardest-working royal and has a reputation for her no-nonsense approach.