The Princess Royal made a heartfelt return to Southmead Hospital in Bristol to personally thank the medical staff who cared for her following an incident at Gatcombe Park in June 2024.
During her visit, Princess Anne met with the doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals involved in her treatment, recovery, and discharge, following a riding incident at her Gloucestershire home. The hospital, which is operated by North Bristol NHS Trust, played a crucial role in her care during that time.
The Princess Royal visited Southmead Hospital in Bristol. (North Bristol NHS Trust)
As part of the visit, The Princess Royal also met with members of the North Bristol NHS Trust Board, as well as representatives from the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, which were instrumental in the emergency response to her accident.
Adding a special touch to the occasion, staff members from the hospital performed as part of a choir in the Atrium of Southmead Hospital.
The Princess spoke to staff at the hospital. (North Bristol NHS Trust)
Speaking to staff at the hospital today, Anne admitted that she doesn’t remember much about being in hospital but joked ‘but whatever you did, it seemed to work’.
‘You’ve been filling in the blanks, which partly, from my perspective, is really useful to know what happened because I seriously don’t have any idea and, sadly, I don’t have huge memories of being in here either. I just know I was really well looked after so thank you’.
Anne also appeared to joke about the horses and ‘if there was a perpetrator who managed to do that much damage, they’re not letting on either, so relationships remain absolutely secure’.
In January 2025, at the conclusion of her two-day visit to South Africa, Princess Anne offered rare insights into the incident, its aftermath, and the life lessons it taught her. Reflecting on the moments leading up to the accident, the Princess admitted that her memory of the event remains unclear.
‘I can’t recall the last thing I remember,’ she said. ‘I know where I thought I was going, and that was to see the chickens -nothing to do with horses. I don’t have any idea what I was doing in the field, because I never normally went that way. It just reminds you – shows you – you never quite know when something might happen, and you might not recover.’
Speaking about the potential long-term impact of the injury, The King’s sister joked: ‘Apparently not – at least I don’t think so. As far as I know, nobody else thinks so either – or they haven’t been honest enough to tell me yet. So far, so good. You are sharply reminded that every day is a bonus, really.’
Anne reflected on the accident as a humbling experience and a reminder of life’s unpredictability. ‘It shows how quickly things can change,’ she said. ‘Every day is a bonus.’
The Princess Royal heard from staff who treated her. (North Bristol NHS Trust)
Speaking about The Princess’ visit, Maria Kane OBE, Joint Chief Executive of North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘We were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to Southmead Hospital to show her round the building and for her to meet some of our amazing staff.
‘We’re incredibly pleased that Her Royal Highness recovered so well and appreciated her taking the time out of her busy diary to visit us.’
The Princess Royal thanked the staff for treating her. (North Bristol NHS Trust)
Ingrid Barker DL, Joint Chair of North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, remarked: ‘It was wonderful to see Her Royal Highness at Southmead Hospital today, and to show her round to meet some of our fabulous teams. We all really appreciated the visit and the opportunity for some of our staff to meet The Princess Royal.’
